African Journal of Biotechnology Vol.2 (5), pp. 109-113, May 2003  

ISSN 1684-5315  © 2003 Academic Journals

Genetic affinities of Fusarim spp. and their correlation with origin and pathogenicity

Mohmed S. Khalil¹, Mohmed A. Abdel-Sattar², Ibrahim N. Aly², Kamel A. Abd-Elsalam^1,3* and Joseph A. Verreet³

¹Agricultural Research Center, Plant Pathology Research Institute, Giza, Egypt.

²Suez Canal University, Faculty of Agriculture, Ismailia, Egypt.

³Christian Albrechts Universität zu Kiel, Institut für Phytopathologie, Kiel, Germany

*Corresponding author; phone: (49 431) 880 2993, fax: (49 431) 880 1583, e-mail: kaabdelsalam@msn.com

Accepted 14 April, 2003

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analyses was used in combination with pathogenicity assays to study the taxonomic kinships among five Fusarium  species. A total of 46 isolates of Fusarium spp. obtained from diseased cotton seedlings showing typical root rot and dampping-off symptoms were characterized. Of 10 primers tested, four primers produced polymorphic amplification patterns with taxon-specific bands, in addition to individual-specific bands. Genetic analysis indicated into 2 main clusters, with the minor cluster included all F. moniliforme and F. solani  at the genetic similarity of GS=57.82%. The major cluster consisted of all F. oxysporum, F. avenaceum and F. chlamydosporum clustered at 71% similarity. There was no clear-cut relationship between clustering in the RAPD dendrogram, pathogenicity test and geographic origin of tested isolates. The results suggest that RAPD-PCR is a useful method for analysing genetic variation within and between Fusarium spp.

Key words: DNA-fingerprinting, Fusarium chlamydosporum, genetic homology, RAPD-PCR.

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