Spain: Beware of maize anthracnose due to global migration and evolution of the pathogen

Genetic recombination of the maize anthracnose pathogen leads to dangerous strains of the disease that threaten the crop almost everywhere Scientists from the University of Salamanca, Spain, in collaboration with maize experts and researchers from around the world, have for the first time determined the population structure of the anthracnose fungus in 108 isolates. They found strong evidence that genetic recombination, either through sexual reproduction or through alternative mechanisms, plays an important role in population structure, in contrast to the traditional view that the anthracnose pathogen is asexual. The researchers concluded that this recombination occurs frequently, writes Cristina Tordin in an article published on the portal of the Brazilian agricultural research corporation Embrapa Environment. Brazilian agricultural scientists also contributed to the study. Scientists have found evidence of a recent migration of isolates between Europe and Argentina, possibly due ...