Genetic characterization ofGremmeniella abietinavar.abietinaisolates from Spain

Abstract

The taxonomic placement of Spanish isolates ofGremmeniella abietinavar.abietina(Gaa) (race and biotype) was determined, for the first time, using RAPD markers and comparison of RAPD patterns for Spanish isolates and those originating from different regions of Europe and North America. Fifteen Spanish isolates of Gaa were isolated from recently dead shoots of 10Pinus halepensistrees. Additionally, 17 isolates of Gaa from Canada, Finland, Switzerland and the USA, previously characterized according to race and biotype, were used. Five primers, previously reported to yield readable, reproducible and polymorphic fragments, were used in PCR reactions. The results showed that the Spanish isolates represent the European race and not the Alpine or northern biotypes. Spanish isolates appear to be clearly separated from all other biotypes within the EU race and preliminary data suggest that Spanish isolates have low genetic variability.