Degree
Master of Science
Program
Biology
Supervisor
Mark Gijzen
Abstract
Phytophthora sojae is an oomycete responsible for seed, root and stem rot of soybean plants. Managing this disease relies on growing soybean cultivars with race-specific resistance (Rps) genes that deliver complete host immunity in the presence of corresponding pathogen avirulence (Avr) effector proteins. The aims of this study were to characterize virulence towards Rps2 among different P. sojae strains, track the inheritance of this trait, and attempt to identify an Avr2 gene. Fifteen P. sojae strains were tested for virulence towards Rps2 and crosses were performed between selected virulent and avirulent strains to follow the inheritance of virulence. Although parental strains were consistent in their virulence phenotype, many progeny were unstable. Of two candidate genes for Avr2 tested, neither showed co-segregation with the Rps2-virulence trait. Overall, results indicate that virulence towards Rps2 is inherited in a non-Mendelian fashion; the factors responsible could include epistasis, gene conversion, or other epigenetic phenomena.
Recommended Citation
Ishmael, Chelsea S., "Inheritance, differential expression, and candidate gene analyses for Avr2 in Phytophthora sojae" (2016). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 3530.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/3530
Included in
Biology Commons, Molecular Genetics Commons, Plant Pathology Commons