Phylogenetically Diverse <i>Fusarium</i> Species Associated with Sorghum (<i>Sorghum Bicolor</i> L. Moench) and Finger Millet (<i>Eleusine Coracana</i> L. Garten) Grains from Ethiopia

• Main Authors: Alemayehu Chala, Tulu Degefu, May Bente Brurberg
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-06-01
• Series: Diversity
• Subjects: beta-tubulin gene; DNA sequence; elongation factor gene (EF1-α); species diversity
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/11/6/93

<i>Fusarium</i> is one of the most diverse fungal genera affecting several crops around the world. This study describes the phylogeny of <i>Fusarium</i> species associated with grains of sorghum and finger millet from different parts of Ethiopia. Forty-two sorghum and 34 finger millet grain samples were mycologically analysed. All of the sorghum and more than 40% of the finger millet grain samples were contaminated by the <i>Fusarium</i> species. The <i>Fusarium</i> load was higher in sorghum grains than that in finger millet grains. In addition, 67 test isolates were phylogenetically analysed using <i>EF-1&#945;</i> and &#946;-tubulin gene primers. Results revealed the presence of eight phylogenetic placements within the genus <i>Fusarium</i>, where 22 of the isolates showed a close phylogenetic relation to the F. incarnatum&#8722;equiseti species complex. Nevertheless, they possess a distinct shape of apical cells of macroconidia, justifying the presence of new species within the <i>Fusarium</i> genus. The new species was the most dominant, represented by 33% of the test isolates. The current work can be seen as an important addition to the knowledge of the biodiversity of fungal species that exists within the <i>Fusarium</i> genus. It also reports a previously unknown <i>Fusarium</i> species that needs to be investigated further for toxin production potential.