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Phenotypic Consistency Masks Genotypic Diversity: Molecular Characterization of Ralstonia solanacearum Causing Bacterial Wilt in Ginger
Abstract
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a crop that is of great economic as well as medicinal importance. However, its production is seriously threatened by bacterial wilt caused by the soil-borne pathogen, Ralstonia solanacearum, which shows global distribution with high genetic diversity. However, this study aims to identify the diversity of the pathogen, R. solanacearum, in terms of its morphology as well as its genetic makeup that affects ginger. A total of 30 samples were harvested from diseased ginger farms in two Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, namely Kachia and Jaba. Among the morphological measurements considered were colony appearance, cell shapes, as well as motility. Regarding the genetic diversity, both eGL gene-based PCR, repPCR, as well as sequencing, were implemented. A high diversity was found within the colony appearance as well as the motility of the pathogens. Meanwhile, genetic diversity was established via the existence of different genotypes, which were classified into different phylotypes as well as sequevars. However, the correlation between the two types of diversity was found to be unpredictable, implying that genetic diversity alone may not be sufficient for pathogen differentiation.
