Ir. L.P.N.M. (Laurens) Kroon: The genus Phytophthora; phylogeny, speciation and host specificity

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16 Jun 2010 13:30
Unit: Wageningen University
Location: Aula, building 362, Gen. Foulkesweg 1, Wageningen
Organisation: Wageningen University
Promotor: Prof.dr.ir. F.P.M. Govers, Prof.dr.ir. P.J.G.M. de Wit
Co Promotor: Dr.ir.ing. W.G. Flier

 Plant diseases caused by Phytophthora species are an ever increasing threat to agriculture and natural ecosystems. The Phytophthora genus contains over one hundred species and especially during the last decade, the number of characterized and taxonomically described Phytophthora species has rapidly increased. This thesis describes the first phylogenetic analysis of the Phytophthora genus based on both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences. It includes the distribution of the species over ten clades and details on their preferred host(s), spore morphology and niche preference.

The introduction of exotic pathogens into a new habitat can lead to interspecific hybridization between introduced and endemic pathogens, a process that has been found to occur regularly in Phytophthora species, both in natural systems and in agriculture. Phylogenetic analyses that were used to define the parental species involved in interspecific hybridization events have provided insight into reticulate evolution events and suggest that Phytophthora species hybridization may produce unique offspring capable of infecting an expanded range of host plants. Moreover, this offspring has the potential to evolve rapidly, leading to accelerated speciation.
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