Phytophthora cactorum is the most common causal agent of Phytophthora crown rot and leather rot of strawberry, but P. nicotianae is also responsible for the disease in Florida. Studies of P. nicotianae populations have suggested that different groups of genotypes are associated with different hosts; however, it is not yet clear how many lineages exist globally and how they are related to different production systems. The aim of this study was to determine the genetic relationships of P. nicotianae isolates from Florida strawberry with genotypes reported from other hosts, quantify the genetic variation on strawberry, and test for an association with nursery source. A total of 49 isolates of P. nicotianae were collected from strawberry plants originating from multiple nursery sources during six seasons of commercial fruit production in Florida. Microsatellite genotyping identified 28 multilocus genotypes on strawberry that were distinct among 208 isolates originating from various hosts and locations. Based on STRUCTURE analysis, two genetic groups were identified: one consisting of isolates from strawberry, and the other comprising samples from different hosts. Multilocus genotypes were shared among nursery sources, and populations defined by nursery were not differentiated. Both mating types were found among the isolates from North Carolina- and California-origin plants and in most strawberry seasons; however, a predominance of A1 was observed, and regular sexual reproduction was not supported by the data. This study reveals a unique genetic population of P. nicotianae associated with strawberry and emphasizes the vital role of nursery monitoring in mitigating disease spread.
Keywords: disease control; emerging pathogens; evolution; nursery; oomycetes; pathogen detection; pest management; population biology; population genetics.