Genetic diversity of isolates of the Leptosphaeria maculans species complex from Australia, Europe and North America using amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis

Abstract

Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) analysis has been used to analyse 100 Australian, European and North American isolates of Leptosphaeria maculans. All isolates had distinct AFLP profiles. They could be classified into five types, which had very few AFLP bands in common and corresponded to classifications made previously on the basis of ability to cause stem cankers on Brassica napus (A group), or inability to do so (B group), and on host range. Four isolates had AFLP profiles completely dissimilar to these groups and to each other. Genetic diversity and geographic differentiation were analysed separately within AFLP types 1 and 2. UPGMA analysis of the 66 AFLP type 1 (A group) i..