Molecular Identification and Characterization of Botrytis spp.from Strawberry in Morocco
¹National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA), Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Rabat, B.P. 6356, Institutes, Rabat 10101, Morocco
²Plant and Animal Production and Agro-industry Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Ibn Tofail University, B.P. 242, 14000, Kenitra, Morocco
³Laboratory of Spectroscopy, Molecular Modeling, Materials, Nanomaterials, Water and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University of Rabat, Av Ibn Battouta, BP1014, Agdal, Morocco
*Correspondence: soukaina.hammoumi1@uit.ac.ma; labhililim@gmail.com
Abstract:
Botrytis cinerea is a highly destructive infection, responsible for gray mold in small fruit crops such as strawberries, it causes pre and post-harvest losses. Identification of this pathogen is the first step to control it. The purpose of the present study was to identify Botrytis species, characterize and assess genetic diversity of gray mold pathogen populations from strawberry in Morocco using molecular markers. Sixty-eight isolates were obtained from infected fruits of 14 different geographic origins in Morocco, DNA was extracted and the isolates were identified using Bc108+/Bc563− and NEP2 sequences variability. To differentiate between groups N and S genotypes of Botrytis spp., two primer pairs were used (BcinN–in–F/R and Mrr1_spez_F/R). Presence of transposable elements (TE) boty, flipper and 9 microsatellites (SSR) were used to examine genetic diversity of the isolates. In our population, forty-seven isolates were identified as B. cinerea. Data indicated that 26% of isolates were attributed to groups S and 31% to N. It also showed that 32% of the isolates possessed flipper genotype, followed by transposa (28%), boty (21%) and vacuma (19%). Analysis of 68 Botrytis spp. isolates by SSR showed a high level of genetic diversity indices among populations of which the isolates clustered into seven genetic groups. Data showed genetic diversity in Botrytis spp. populations from Morocco. Identification of the pathogen and knowledge of its genetic diversity enable optimal and effective disease management.
Key words:
Botrytis cinerea, Genetic diversity, grey mold, microsatellites, strawberries, transposable elements