Genetic divergence among and within Colletotrichum lindemuthianum races assessed by RAPD

Genetic divergence within and among races of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum was determined using RAPD markers. In addition to the different races of the fungus three isolates of the sexual stage of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum (Glomerella cingulata f.sp. phaseoli) were included in this study. The band patterns generated using 11 primers produced 133 polymorphic bands. The polymorphic bands were used to determine genetic divergence among and within the pathogen races. The isolates analyzed were divided into six groups with 0.75 relative similarity. Group VI, formed by three isolates of the sexual phase of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, was the most divergent. Races previously determined using differential cultivars did not correlate with the results obtained using RAPD markers.