The use of RAPD-PCR analysis for the differentiation of Mycosphaerella species from Eucalyptus in Australia

Abstract

Mycosphaerella contains some of the most damaging foliar pathogens of Eucalyptus. Identification of the species has relied mainly on characters such as ascospore morphology and the mode of ascospore germination. Wide variation and overlap in morphological characters, especially ascospore shape and size, has lead to confusion in species concepts. This study examines the potential of RAPD-PCR to differentiate Mycosphaerella species that cause leaf diseases of Eucalyptus in Australia. RAPD-PCR was conducted on 39 isolates representing 10 species of Mycosphaerella collected from southern Australia. Primers were chosen mainly to distinguish between the two most common and damaging species in Aust..