Random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis of Japanese isolates of Verticillium dahliae and V-albo-atrum

Japanese isolates of Verticillium dahliae and V. albo-atrum have been differentiated into four and two pathogenicity groups, respectively. Japanese isolates, 29 isolates of V. dahliae and 15 isolates of V. albo-atrum, representing different pathogenicity groups were analyzed by means of the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). V. dahliae could be differentiated into three subclusters and V. albo-atrum into subclusters. In V. dahliae, the first subcluster (RAPD type I) included isolates in group A (eggplant pathotype), group C (sweet pepper pathotype), and another group with pathogenicity not determined. The second subcluster (RAPD type II) included group B isolates (tomato pathotypes). The third subcluster (RAPD type III) contained four diploid isolates (group D, brassica pathotype) and one haploid isolate (84111). In V. albo-atrum, the isolates were divided into two subclusters. The first subcluster (RAPD type IV) included isolates in only the alfalfa pathotype. The second subcluster (RAPD V) included one alfalfa pathotype isolate (Vaa-s02), three potato pathotype isolates, and three undetermined pathotype isolates from alfalfa. Similarities and differences in banding patterns obtained by RAPD could be a useful molecular tool in identification and phylogenetic studies of the pathogenicity groups.