Phylogenetic Relationship of 56 Races of Puccinia triticina based on SNPs

Wheat Leaf rust is caused by Puccinia triticina and is a significant pathogen worldwide.  Each year new races emerge due to genome changes and selection for virulent races by large acreages of resistant varieties.  P. triticina is considered asexual in North America because of the rare occurrence of the alternate host.  Recently the genome of P. triticina was sequenced and is 135 Mb in size and consists of 14,500 genes.  With a reference genome available, race structure and comparisons can now be made.  Fifty-six races were selected based on time when they were isolated, geographical location, and whether they came from tetraploid or hexaploid wheat.  Races came from North America and Europe.  DNA was collected from germinated spore mats, libraries were made, and the DNA was sequenced using Illumina.  Each race was sequenced to >25X coverage.  SNPs were called based on comparisons to the reference genome BBBD, race 1.  Phylogenetic data will be presented.