Fusarium graminearum mapping

Fusarium graminearum Genetic Map

The genetic map of Fusarium graminearum (Gibberella zeae) was constructed using a cross between the strain PH-1 (NRRL 31084) and a strain from Minnesota, 00-676 (NRRL 34097)(Gale et al., 2005). Cytological examination of both parental strains indicated that each have four chromosomes. A total of 111 random ascospore progeny were analyzed for segregation at 237 loci. Genetic markers predominantly consisted of sequence-tagged sites, detected as dCAPs or CAPS (n=131) and VNTRs (n=31), in addition to AFLPs (n=66), and seven other markers. Segregation distortion was observed for 25 markers. A linkage map was generated using JoinMap 3.0 and a LOD threshold value of 3.5. Nine linkage groups were obtained, covering 1234 cM and anchoring 99.83% of the assembly. All linkage groups and anchored supercontigs could be assembled into the four chromosomes, leaving only five smaller supercontigs (59,630 bp total) of the nuclear DNA unanchored.

Most SNPs were identified by sequencing alleles derived from EST loci for both parental strains; others were based on sequences of smaller scaffolds or ends of larger scaffolds. One EST-based marker (HK235) and marker HK665 that is based in the intergenic spacer of the major ribosomal RNA repeat were not represented in the assembly but both map to linkage group IVB on chromosome 4. VNTRs were obtained from a genome-wide scan for tandem repeats by the method of Benson (Nucl. Acids. Res. 27:573-580) and subsequently used for polymorphism screening at selected loci (Suga et al. 2004).


Many individuals have contributed to the International Gibberella zeae Mapping Project:

  • Liane Gale, Je'Nise Bryant (University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN) and

  • Corby Kistler (USDA ARS Cereal Disease Laboratory, St. Paul, USA)
  • Todd Ward, Thomas Usgaard, Kerry O'Donnell (USDA ARS, NCAUR, Peoria, USA)
  • Talma Katan (Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel)
  • Haruisha Suga (Gifu University, Gifu, Japan)
  • Masatoki Taga (Okayama University, Okayama, Japan)
  • Henriette Giese (Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, Denmark)

  • Gary Muehlbauer (University of Minnesota, St. Paul, USA)