Phylogenetic analyses of the Fusarium graminearum species complex isolated from soybean in Argentina and Brazil

Abstract

Soybean is one of the most economically important crops in Argentina and Brazil. However, there is limited information on the biodiversity of the FGSC from soybean as compared to other crops of large-scale growing such as wheat and maize. A phylogenetic recognition of the Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC) isolated from soybean in Argentina and Brazil was performed in order to identify species responsible for trichothecene production. Sequences of genes encoding for the partial translation elongation factor, the 3-O-acetyltransferase and a putative reductase were analysed by the Maximum Parsimony method. Although the present study has focused on a limited number of isolates, this is the first report that provides evidence of the presence of at least four species within the FGSC associated with soybean in Argentina: F. graminearum sensu stricto, F. cortaderiae, F. meridionale and F. boothii. In addition, F. graminearum sensu stricto was detected for the first time among Brazilian isolates from soybean.