Journal of Phytopathology (2014) 162, 582-595

Elizabeth Kecskeméti, Arne Brathuhn, Karl-Heinz Kogel, Beate Berkelmann-Löhnertz and Annette Reineke (2014)
Presence of transposons and mycoviruses in Botrytis cinerea isolates collected from a German grapevine growing region
Journal of Phytopathology 162 (9), 582-595
Abstract: Transposons and infection of fungal strains with mycoviruses can have significant effects on distinctive phenotypic traits of phytopathogenic fungi such as mycelial growth and sporulation, pathogenicity or fungicide resistance. Two transposable elements (TE), Boty and Flipper, are known to be associated with the ubiquitous fungus Botrytis cinerea. In addition, the presence of two types of ssRNAsRNA viruses, BVX and BVF, has been reported in B. cinerea. In this study, we assessed the genetic diversity of B. cinerea isolates, all sampled within a small-sized German viticultural area ('Rheingau') by examining and classifying them according to the presence of TEs and mycoviruses. A subset of the isolates was further analysed with microsatellite markers to determine the origin of particular isolates with or without one or both mycoviruses. Virtually all isolates (98%) sampled in two different years (2008 and 2010) were screened positive for the presence of a transposon. Presence of one or both B. cinerea mycoviruses was confirmed for 37% of the analysed isolates sampled in 2010, representing the first record of B. cinerea mycoviruses in German isolates. Assignment on individual B. cinerea isolates to different genetic groups was independent of the presence or absence of a mycovirus or a transposable element, respectively. Furthermore, we found no correlation between the presence of either a mycovirus or a transposable element and different viticultural management practices, soil properties or levels of nitrogen fertilization applied to the respective vineyards. However, mycelial growth of B. cinerea strains containing mycovirus BVF was significantly reduced at lower temperatures.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Annette Reineke, Karl-Heinz Kogel

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
molecular biology - genes
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Botrytis cinerea	Grapevine (Vitis)	Germany