Molecular Diversity of a Seemingly Altitude Restricted Ustilago kamerunensis Isolates in Kenya: A Pathogen of Napier Grass

The Central region of Kenya which is the second largest market oriented dairy zone, faces a threat in milk production. The challenge is a disease known as the napier head smut caused by Ustilago kamerunensis. This fungal microorganism is a facultative pathogen which has been reported to cause yield losses in napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) ranging from 25% to 46% across the affected areas. Additionally, there are reports of the continual spread of the disease into neighbouring county of Nakuru in Rift-Valley region which is the leading milk producing zone in the country. This scenario of spread is worrying combined with observation of variations in damage levels of napier grass clones across the five counties of Central Kenya. These observations led to the hypothesis that possible differences might be existing among the Ustilago kamerunensis variants in Kenya. Further, the differences in biomass yield losses that are within a certain percentage range mentioned-above, seemed to support the existence of possible differences. Therefore, to inform effective integrated management strategies of the pathogen in case it’s co-evolving, this study sought to determine the molecular differences of Ustilago kamerunensis isolates in affected counties using ITS 1 and 2 regions which are spanned by 5.8S ribosomal RNA gene. The Ustilago kamerunensis propagules were systematically collected from affected counties’ hot spot areas for sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The study revealed the most affected areas to be within the mean altitude level of 1988.17 ± 71.97 metres above sea level. Further, differences in the growth in vitro and molecular characteristics of the seemingly altitude restricted isolates were observed. The Kiambu, Nyandarau and Nakuru counties isolates clustered together, whereas those of Murang’a, Nyeri and Kirinyaga formed another clade. The sequences of sixteen Ustilago kamerunensis isolates were deposited in GenBank with accession numbers ranging from MG722754 to MG722769. The results suggest the existence of possible genetic divergence of the isolates which might be reflected in their pathogenic potential too. Effective integration of management strategies is vital towards slowing the phenomenon for an optimal mitigation of the disease in Kenya.