27/3/2015 5th International Workshop on the Genetics of Host-Parasite Interactions in Forestry - Environmental maternal effects on the early phenotype and resis…
Genetics of Tree-Parasite Interactions Novel challenges and opportunities for resistance to pests and pathogens
ENVIRONMENTAL MATERNAL EFFECTS ON THE EARLY PHENOTYPE AND RESISTANCE OF EUCALYPTUS GRANDIS AND THE STRUCTURING OF FUNGAL ENDOPHYTIC COMMUNITIES Submitted by : Maria Vivas Abstract type : Oral presentation Session type : Host - parasite CO-EVOLUTION and DURABLE strategies Author Speaker : Maria VIVAS Names and addresses of all authors (e.g. John William MACGREGOR - National Institute for scientific Research, Plant Pathology Laboratory, 1315 Woodland Road, Tottenham London, W1T 7LQ, UK) : Maria VIVAS1*, Martin KEMLER1 and Bernard SLIPPERS 1 1Department of Genetics, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Cnr
Lynnwood and University Road, Hatfield 0083, Pretoria, South Africa *Presenting author (
[email protected])
Abstract (400 words max.) : The environmental experience of plants can influence the phenotype and stress tolerance of its offspring. This impact on the progeny is not related with modifications to the DNA sequence, but through processes of seed provisioning and epigenetic modifications. These maternal effects can modulate the development and interaction of the progeny with other organisms, which have significant effects on trees and their associated ecosystems. This experiment aims to study early performance and resistance to the wasp, Leptocybe invasa of Eucalyptus grandis seedlings from different maternal environments and genetic backgrounds. We also consider the potential impact on the fungal endophytes communities of the seedlings. Leaves and seeds were collected from two E. grandis plantations with the same genetic material (replicated clones), but different site qualities. A total of 18 leaf samples were collected from maternal trees (2 maternal environments x 3 genotypes x 3 ramets). Furthermore, a total of 1620 seeds were sown (2 maternal environments x 3 genotypes x 3 ramets x 90 seeds). Seed size and weight, as well as seedling development were measured. In addition, the response of the seedlings to natural infection with L. invasa was calculated as the rate between the number of galled leaves and the number of total leaves per plant. Finally, the composition of endophyte communities in the maternal leaves were assessed using Ilumina Miseq amplicon sequencing of the ITS rDNA. Height was different in seedlings grown from the contrasting maternal environments (P
