Concept Note (Draft)

Project Proposal for DST/DBT

Title: Mapping of avirulence genes and mating type loci in Sclerospora graminicola, the
causal agent of pearl millet downy mildew

Scientists and Institutions involved

Rajan Sharma and R.P. Thakur, ICRISAT, Patancheru, India.
T.R. Sharma, NRCPB, IARI, New Delh, India

Rationale: Sclerospora graminicola, the causal agent of downy mildew is a serious pathogen of
pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]. The disease is highly destructive and widespread in
major pearl millet growing areas of the world. S. graminicola is an oomycetous obligate pathogen and
reproduces both asexually by producing sporangia and sexually by means of oospores. The fungus is
largely heterothallic but homothalism has also been reported. Existence of mating types and their
frequency greatly contribute towards the development of new recombinants in the pathogen
populations. Therefore, populations of S. graminicola from the diverse pearl millet growing areas
need to be characterized for the mating type genes to understand the mechanism involved in the
evolution of new virulences. Evolution of host specific virulences in pearl millet downy mildew is
well documented. As a result of evolution of host specific virulences, resistant genotypes lose their
effective resistance within a short period and leads to the development of new pathotypes/races in the
pathogen populations. Since management of pearl millet downy mildew largely depends upon host
plant resistance, evolution of host specific virulences need to be periodically monitored. Tagging of
mating type genes and avirulence genes with molecular markers will help characterization of S.
graminicola populations for specific virulences and mating type genes in the target areas. Molecular
markers like RAPD, RFLP and AFLP have been used to study genetic diversity in S. graminicola.
However, allele-specific markers like SSRs are not available for this fungus. Micosatellite sequences
are usually characterized by high degree of length polymorphism, and are ideal single locus co-
dominant markers for genetic studies. Therefore, there is a need to develop SSRs markers for S.
graminicola and also to test others available in the related genera.

Objectives
 Development of SSRs markers for S. graminicola
 Mapping of avirulence genes with DNA markers
 Molecular mapping of mating type genes

Duration: 3 Years

Activities
1. Crossing of avirulent and virulent, and mating type isolates; establishment of F 1
progenies [Thakur, RP and Sharma, R, (2008)]
2. Establishment and evaluation of F2 progenies [Thakur, RP and Sharma, R, (2009)]
3. Developing micosatellite markers for the genetic analysis of S. graminicola [Sharma, TR,
(2010)]
4. Genotyping of F2 populations and tagging of virulence and mating type genes with
DNA markers [Thakur, RP and Sharma, R, (2010)]