DNA fingerprinting of Ascochyta rabiei with synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides

Summary The ascomycete fungus Ascochyta rabiei, an important pathogen of the grain legume crop chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in the Mediterranean region, has not been adequately characterized in molecular terms. We therefore used DNA fingerprinting, with synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides complementary to simple repetitive sequences, to pathotype different isolates of the fungus. Six single-spored A. rabiei isolates were first categorized using a host differential set of nine chickpea genotypes. Seedlings were inoculated under controlled environmental conditions, and disease severity was recorded 9 days after inoculation. DNA was extracted from in vitro-grown mycelia of the six purified fungal isolates, restricted with EcoRI, HinfI, MboII and TaqI, and fingerprinted with radiolabeled (GATA)₄, (GTG)₅, (CA)₈, and (TCC)₅, respectively. High levels of polymorphism were detected with optimal enzyme/probe combinations that allow one to discriminate between the isolates. The potential of DNA fingerprinting with simple repetitive sequences can thus be expanded to the identification of fungal races and pathotypes. The characterization of the geographic distribution and genetic variability of pathotypes will facilitate the selection of suitable host cultivars to be grown in specific regions.