Population genetic structure of Fusarium verticillioides causal agent of rice crown and root rot in Ilam province using SSR Marker

Study on the genetic structure of Fusarium verticillioides populations, provides different levels of information in management of root rot disease in rice farms. Simple Sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to determine genetic structure and genetic diversity in 39 F. verticillioides isolates from five different regions in Ilam province, such as: Tangehghir, Lomar, Shirvan, Sarableh and Darehshahr. Average number of alleles in populations were 10.6, the number of alleles in populations varied from 9 allele in Tangehghir and Darehshahr as the lowest to 13 allels in Lomar as the highest. Observed number of alleles (Na ) and effective number of alleles ( Ne ) were higher in Lomar (Na = 1; Ne = 1.276) compared to other populations. The genetic diversity ( H) and Shannon's Information index (I) were also higher in Lomar ( H = 0.167; I = 0.254) but lower values were estimated for Darehshahr (He = 0.141; I = 0.204). The lowest genetic distance was found between Tangehghir and Lowmar (0.00) and then Shirvan, while the highest genetic distance was revealed between Darehshahr and Tangehghir (0.018). Total gene diversity ( Ht ) and gene diversities between subpopulations (Hs ) were estimated 0.125 and 0.116, respectively. Gene diversity attributable to differentiation among populations ( Gst ) was 0.072, while gene flow (Nm ) was 6.368. Cluster analysis based on UPGMA showed the lowest genetic distance between Tangehghir and Lomar and then between Shirvan. The dendrogram indicated a high genetic distance between Darehshahr and four remaining populations. Results from this study will be useful in developing necessary control methods for Rice crown and root rot disease.