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The genetic diversity of Icelandic populations of two barley leaf pathogens, Rhynchosporium commune and Pyrenophora teres

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Abstract

Twelve species of fungi have been found growing on barley leaves in Icelandic fields. The study presented here on the population structure of two of these species, the pathogens Rhynchosporium commune and Pyrenophora teres f. teres, reveals high levels of genetic diversity, low levels of migration, and a significant differentiation from other European populations, despite the short history of continuous barley cultivation in Iceland. The gene diversity for R. commune in Iceland was 0.55 compared to a range of 0.43–0.73 for six European populations. The gene diversity for P. teres was higher in Iceland than in populations from Russia and Finland. The two mating types were found to overlap in distribution for both fungi making sexual reproduction a possibility, supported by the few clones and the gametic equilibrium within the Icelandic populations. When the high levels of diversity, low levels of migration, and the genetic differentiation observed between Icelandic and Scandinavian populations are put into context with the short history of barley cultivation in Iceland, it raises questions regarding the origin of the Icelandic fungal populations. It also underlines the importance of proper analysis of pathogens prior to starting resistance breeding projects. The findings are an addition to the ongoing analysis of the global diversity of barley fungal pathogens in general and an important input into future barley breeding projects in Iceland in particular.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr. Bruce A. McDonald for supplying R. commune samples for comparative purposes and for valuable comments on the manuscript. The authors would also like to thank Magnus Göranson, Dr. Áslaug Helgadóttir, and two anonymous reviewers for constructive criticism of the manuscript. Financial support for this study was provided by the Icelandic Agricultural Productivity Fund and the Technology Development Fund.

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  1. Tryggvi S. Stefansson

    Present address: ETH Zürich, Institute for Integrative Biology, Universitätstrasse 2, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland

  2. Marjo Serenius

    Present address: Agricultural Foundation of Trade, K-maatalous Experimental Farm, Hahkialantie 57, FIN-14700, Hauho, Finland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Land and Animal Resources, Agricultural University of Iceland, Keldnaholt, 112, Reykjavik, Iceland

    Tryggvi S. Stefansson & Jon Hallsteinn Hallsson

  2. MTT Agrifood Research, Biotechnology & Food Research, Myllytie 1, FIN-31600, Jokioinen, Finland

    Marjo Serenius

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  1. Tryggvi S. Stefansson
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Correspondence to Jon Hallsteinn Hallsson.

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Stefansson, T.S., Serenius, M. & Hallsson, J.H. The genetic diversity of Icelandic populations of two barley leaf pathogens, Rhynchosporium commune and Pyrenophora teres . Eur J Plant Pathol 134, 167–180 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-012-9974-8

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