Characterisation of Verticillium dahliae Kleb. isolates from Olea europea using RAPD markers

Abstract

The random amplification of polymorphic DNA fragments (RAPD) was used as a tool both for estimating
the genetic variability of Verticillium dahliae Kleb. and for characterising this fungus. Forty V. dahliae isolates were
examined, 33 from olive in the main olive-growing areas, 2 from tomato, one from aubergine, one from the soil of an
infected olive grove in Morocco and 3 from olive in Algeria. A total of 95 polymorphic RAPD bands were obtained with
ten primers selected among the 50 tested. The results revealed a clear polymorphism between the isolates, which
were assigned to 4 RAPD groups. No correlation between RAPD markers, the geographic origin or the host plants of
the isolates was observed.