Poster: Epidemiology: Population Biology Genetics
666-P
Is host specificity influencing the population structure of Phytophthora spp. collected from potato and tree tomato in central and southern Colombia?
C. Chaves (1), M. Mideros (1), G. Danies (1), S. Restrepo (1) (1) Universidad de los Andes, Colombia
Late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, has been a major threat to global food security. In Colombia, late blight is considered one of the most limiting diseases on potato and tomato production. Additionally to potato and tomato crops, the pathogen has been associated with outbreaks on semi-domesticated plants such as tree tomato (Solanum betaceum) and other Solanaceous plants. Recently, a new Phytophthora species has been described infecting tree tomato crops in Southern Colombia (State of Nariño). Nonetheless, the distribution range of this new emerging pathogen in the country is unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate: i) if populations of Phytophthora associated to tree tomato in the central region of Colombia (States of Antioquia and Cundinamarca), the largest potato producing regions in the country, are genetically different from populations found on potato crops in this region; ii) if host preference exists in populations of Phytophthora associated to tree tomato and those associated to potato crops in this region; and iii) if populations of Phytophthora associated to tree tomato in the central region of Colombia are genetically distinct from those found in the southern region of the country. Preliminary results indicate that all isolates are of the A1 mating type and that host preference seems to exist between populations of Phytophthora associated to tree tomato and those associated to potato crops in the central regions of Colombia.