Structure of Ascochyta lentis in Australia revealed with random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers

Abstract

The genetic variation of Ascochyta lentis in Australia was investigated using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis of 23 isolates. Of the 87 loci assessed, 86 were polymorphic. The most closely related isolates were from Victoria and South Australia, and they shared identical banding profiles. The most genetically distant isolates were from South Australia and Western Australia (83% dissimilar). Analysis of molecular variance showed low genetic variation between groups of isolates originating from either within or outside Australia (4%). Large variation within each group (96%) indicated similar pathogen variability within and outside Australia. Partitioning of variation within Au..