Characterization of Fusarium poae Microsatellite Markers on Strains from Switzerland and Other Countries

Fusarium poae is a pathogen of increasing importance within the disease complex Fusarium head blight (FHB). Eleven microsatellite markers were developed, and 72 F. poae strains from Switzerland and other countries were used to assess the level of marker polymorphism. The number of alleles for each of the markers ranged from 4 to 15, and the average gene diversity was 0.62, ranging from 0.25 to 0.84. Using these novel markers, 44 genotypes could be differentiated among all F. poae strains. Two genotypes were represented by nine and ten strains, respectively, deriving from distinct geographic areas within Switzerland and indicating a potential selection advantage. Four markers were F. poae-specific, whereas seven markers also yielded amplification products in one to four strains of five other Fusarium species. Of the latter, five markers revealed F. poae-specific allele size ranges. Hence, these microsatellite markers could be used both for FHB species differentiation and for intra-specific distinction of F. poae strains.