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    Transcriptomics of host-specific interactions in natural populations of the parasitic plant purple witchweed (Striga hermonthica)

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    Journal Article (951.9Kb)
    Date
    2019-07
    Author
    Lopez, L.
    Bellis, E.S.
    Wafula, E.
    Hearne, S.
    Honaas, L.
    Ralph, P.E.
    Timko, M.P.
    Unachukwu, N.
    dePamphilis, C.W.
    Lasky, J.R.
    Type
    Journal Article
    Review Status
    Peer Review
    Target Audience
    Scientists
    Metadata
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    Abstract/Description
    Host-specific interactions can maintain genetic and phenotypic diversity in parasites that attack multiple host species. Host diversity, in turn, may promote parasite diversity by selection for genetic divergence or plastic responses to host type. The parasitic weed purple witchweed [Striga hermonthica (Delile) Benth.] causes devastating crop losses in sub-Saharan Africa and is capable of infesting a wide range of grass hosts. Despite some evidence for host adaptation and host-by-Striga genotype interactions, little is known about intraspecific Striga genomic diversity. Here we present a study of transcriptomic diversity in populations of S. hermonthica growing on different hosts (maize [Zea mays L.] vs. grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]). We examined gene expression variation and differences in allelic frequency in expressed genes of aboveground tissues from populations in western Nigeria parasitizing each host. Despite low levels of host-based genome-wide differentiation, we identified a set of parasite transcripts specifically associated with each host. Parasite genes in several different functional categories implicated as important in host–parasite interactions differed in expression level and allele on different hosts, including genes involved in nutrient transport, defense and pathogenesis, and plant hormone response. Overall, we provide a set of candidate transcripts that demonstrate host-specific interactions in vegetative tissues of the emerged parasite S. hermonthica. Our study shows how signals of host-specific processes can be detected aboveground, expanding the focus of host–parasite interactions beyond the haustorial connection.
    https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/%20wsc.2019.20
    Multi standard citation
    Permanent link to this item
    https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12478/7611
    Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
    https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/%20wsc.2019.20
    IITA Subjects
    Food Security; Maize; Plant Diseases; Plant Health
    Agrovoc Terms
    Allele Frequency; Gene Expression; Host Parasite Relations; Parasitic Plant; RNA Sequence; Maize; Striga Hermonthica
    Regions
    Africa; West Africa
    Countries
    Nigeria
    Hubs
    Headquarters and Western Africa Hub
    Journals
    Weed Science
    Collections
    • Journal and Journal Articles4835
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