Molecular analysis of Japanese isolates of Verticillium dahliae and V. albo-airum

Abstract

Sixteen isolates of different pathogenicity groups of the plant pathogen Verticillium dahliae and four isolates of V. albo-atrum from Japan were analysed by means of an RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) method using a PCR (polymerase chain reaction). Verticillium dahliae and V. albo-atrum could be distinguished by RAPD analysis. Four pathogenicity groups of V. dahliae could also be classified to a certain extent by this method. Similarities and differences in banding patterns obtained by RAPD may be a useful molecular tool in phylogenetic studies of the pathogenicity groups.