Variations in random amplified polymorphic DNA patterns and secondary metabolite profiles within Fusarium species from cereals from various parts of The Netherlands

Random amplified polymorphic DNA pattern (RAPD pattern) analysis and secondary metabolite profile (SM profile) assays were used to investigate genetic variability within Fusarium culmorum and Fusarium avenaceum isolated from four geographic regions in The Netherlands. The main aim was to investigate the genotypic and phenotypic variability within the two species in relation to geographic origin, The occurrence of isolates with a certain characteristic set of RAPD pattern and SM profile could have predictive values on the mycotoxins found in the cereals originating from certain geographic regions. Among the F. culmorum isolates, small variations were found with RAPD pattern analysis. F. culmorum isolates belonging to the RAPD type I were found in ail four geographic regions in The Netherlands while isolates with RAPD types la and Ib were obtained from region B only. All F. culmorum isolates showed a different SM profile. F. avenaceum isolates were very heterogeneous both with RAPD pattern analysis and SM profile assay, resulting in individual identification of each isolate. It is concluded that the combination of RAPD pattern analysis and SM profile assays is very powerful to differentiate Fusarium isolates, permitting visualization of variations between occurring isolates. However, due to high discrimination of both assays, the application for epidemiological procedures seems to be limited. (C) 1997 Academic Press Limited.