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Morphological and molecular variability among Indian isolates of Rhizoctonia solani causing banded leaf and sheath blight in maize

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Abstract

Rhizoctonia solani, a devastating soil borne fungus inciting banded leaf and sheath blight (BLSB) disease is a constraint in maize production and improvement program. Rhizoctonia isolates collected from seven diverse maize cropping zones of India were examined for morphological and molecular variability. All the tested isolates caused symptoms of BLSB on maize and were also cross infective on rice and sugarcane hosts, but showed significant variability in hyphal diameter, mean hyphal cell size, weight, size and distribution of scleorotia, culture pigmentation, incubation period, pathogenicity and expression of symptoms. Neighbour joining cluster analysis placed the 62 isolates of R. solani into four major groups, A, B, C and D. Group A was more diverse and included isolates of diverse agro-ecological zones. The cluster analysis corresponded well with principle component analysis. Pathogenicity testing of R. solani isolates on maize genotype (CM 501) revealed highly variable virulence pattern of the pathogen population suggesting its high evolutionary potential, and hence adaptability to diverse geographical regions. The study reveals a strong evidence of inherent potential of the R. solani isolates to survive in diverse ecological zones and its probable spread to other maize cultivars across India. Sequence comparisons of the internal transcribed sequence-ribosomal DNA region of 62 isolates did not reveal much diversity among the isolates. Majority of the isolates (n = 61) clustered together with anastomosis group (AG) AG1-IA used as reference strain in the phylogram, distinct from AG1-IB, AG2–2IIIB and Waitea circinata used as reference strains. BLSB isolates representing distinct geographical locations shared identical sequences indicating long-distance dispersal of the pathogen. The study confirms that the genetic flexibility of the pathogen allows for its adaptation to variable ecological niches and long-distance introduction of new genotypes into the region. The study emphasizes that epidemiological studies may complement the molecular studies.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thankfully acknowledge the generously provided materials of R. solani from the researchers from centres of maize as well as technical support and advice from experts in the field. Financial support for this research was provided by the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science & Technology, India under OYS Scheme (Grant: SR/FT/LS-073/2009). There is no conflict of interest in the present investigation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Indian Institute of Maize Research, Pusa Campus, New Delhi, -110012, India

    Vimla Singh, Chikappa G. Karjagi & Karambir S. Hooda

  2. Plant Pathology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

    Bimal S. Amaradasa

  3. USDA-ARS, SASL, Beltsville Agricultural Research Centre, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA

    Dilip K. Lakshman

  4. Division of Plant Pathology, I.A.R.I, New Delhi, 110012, India

    Aundy Kumar

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  1. Vimla Singh
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Correspondence to Vimla Singh.

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In compliance with the Ethical standards of the Journal, I declare that the manuscript is being submitted with the informed consent and due contribution from all the authors. No animal/human was used as research specimen in the study. On behalf of all the co authors, the corresponding author declares that there is no conflict of interests. I confirm that the information provided is accurate

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Singh, V., Amaradasa, B.S., Karjagi, C.G. et al. Morphological and molecular variability among Indian isolates of Rhizoctonia solani causing banded leaf and sheath blight in maize. Eur J Plant Pathol 152, 45–60 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-018-1447-2

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