Genetics of Botrytis cinerea

Abstract

Botrytis cinerea displays an extraordinary variability in phenotypic traits, making it a model for studying sources of variation in filamentous fungi and in particular in plant pathogens. The whole genome sequence was recently made available and is sustaining an impressive progress of knowledge. The present review aims at giving an updated picture on the genetic features of this fungal pathogen and, in particular, on mechanisms underlying its broad variation and adaptation capability, i.e. mating system and sexual behavior and other sources of variation (chromosome number, mycoviruses, transposons, vegetative compatibility, etc.), as well as on tools available for its genetic manipulation.