Molecular characterization of <i>Colletotrichum</i> species causing soybean anthracnose in Argentina

Abstract

Twenty-six isolates obtained from soybean crops ( Glycine max ) with typical anthracnose symptoms were identified as Colletotrichum truncatum (73 %) and C. destructivum (26 %). Their genetic relationships were studied using the AFLP method. A UPGMA phenogram divided the strains into two clusters corresponding with the two species. Genetic distances based on association coefficient were 0.71–0.89 among the 18 C. truncatum strains and 0.67–1 among the eight C. destructivum strains. Genetic variability within species, measured in terms of percentage of polymorphic loci, was high (&lt;90%). Only two isolates showed 100% similarity, suggesting high intraspecific variability.