Haplotype Dynamics, Phylogenetic Richness, and Population Demographics in Cercospora beticola Infecting Beta vulgaris and Other Crops via cmdA Gene Sequence Analysis

Cercospora beticola, a widespread pathogen causing leaf spot disease in multiple crops, heavily impacts global agriculture, affecting up to 63% of agricultural regions worldwide. The cmdA gene, crucial for encoding calmodulin, a calcium-binding protein, plays a vital role in various C. beticola processes, including the production of cercosporin toxin, essential for its pathogenicity. Through phylogenetic and haplotype analyses of 56 sequences, the genetic diversity of the cmdA gene was explored. Two primary clades were identified: clade I, with broad geographic distribution across nine countries, and clade II, represented by sequences from four countries. Seven distinct haplotypes were identified, with haplotype 5 being predominant. Haplotype diversity was calculated at 0.83745. Population genetics analysis revealed a significantly high Tajima value of 6.48675, indicating substantial haplotype diversity within the global C. beticola population. These findings offer valuable insights into the evolutionary dynamics and geographic distribution of C. beticola, with potential implications for crop management strategies.