ANALYSIS OF VARIATION IN ISOLATES OF RHIZOCTONIA-SOLANI BY RANDOM AMPLIFIED POLYMORPHIC DNA ASSAY

Genetic variation in Australian isolates of Rhizoctonia solani was analyzed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assay. Isolates originated from different geographic locations in Australia and belong to a number of different anastomosis and pectic zymogram groups. Using four different oligonudeotide primers fingerprint patterns were generated for each isolate. All of the anastomosis and pectic zymogram groups (including subgroups) tested could be distinguished. For some groups there was considerable variation in the fingerprint patterns between isolates. This variation was more marked between isolates from different geographic locations. Other groups showed very little variation between isolates. RAPD-PCR analysis is a very useful alternative to anastomosis grouping for identification of isolates of R. solani.