Phylogenetic Relationships of Botrytis cinerea Isolates from Strawberry and Grapevine Based on Multi-Locus Sequence Typing

Abstract

Botrytis cinerea is a widespread necrotrophic fungal pathogen responsible for gray mold disease in numerous horticultural crops, including strawberry and grapevine, leading to severe postharvest and field losses. Understanding the genetic relationships among pathogen populations is essential for disease epidemiology and effective management strategies. The present study investigated the phylogenetic relationships of B. cinerea isolates collected from strawberry and grapevine using multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) analysis. Fungal isolates were obtained from infected plant tissues showing typical gray mold symptoms and identified through morphological and molecular approaches. Genomic DNA was extracted and multiple conserved gene loci were amplified, sequenced, and analyzed to evaluate genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships among isolates. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic reconstruction revealed substantial genetic variability within B. cinerea populations associated with both host plants. Certain isolates clustered according to host origin, while others exhibited close genetic relationships irrespective of crop source, indicating possible gene flow and broad host adaptability of the pathogen. Multi-locus sequence analysis provided higher discriminatory power compared to single-gene characterization and enabled reliable differentiation among genetically distinct lineages. The observed phylogenetic diversity suggests ongoing evolutionary adaptation influenced by environmental conditions, host interactions, and agricultural practices. The integration of MLST and phylogenetic analysis contributed comprehensive insights into the population structure and evolutionary dynamics of B. cinerea. The findings provide valuable information for disease surveillance, resistance breeding, and the development of integrated disease management strategies aimed at reducing gray mold incidence in strawberry and grapevine production systems.