DNA AMPLIFICATION POLYMORPHISMS OF MUCOR PIRIFORMIS

Mucor piriformis can cause postharvest decay in various fruits and veg etables stored at low temperatures. Thirty isolates of this fungus, co llected from infected fruit, were subjected to random amplified polymo rphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Seven different 10-bp primers were used to determine the type and extent of intraspecific genetic polymorphisms. Nineteen composite amplification types were identified, indicating a h igher degree of variability than found in previous isoenzyme studies. Numerical analysis with the UPGMA technique revealed three clusters, w hich correlated with the mating competency of the isolates or their pl ace of origin. These results demonstrate that RAPD analysis can identi fy isolates and subspecific populations of M. piriformis.