ASSESSMENT OF GENETIC-VARIATION WITHIN CHONDROSTEREUM-PURPUREUM FROM QUEBEC BY RANDOM AMPLIFIED POLYMORPHIC DNA ANALYSIS

Genetic variation in Chondrostereum purpureum was assessed by random a mplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. All 43 isolates examined fro m 14 different host species in three forest zones, representing the ea stern meridional forest ecosystems of Canada, could be differentiated using RAPD amplification profiles generated by seven randomly selected primers. Considerable genetic variation was found among isolates from both small (500 m(2)) and large (600000 km(2)) geographical areas, as well as among: isolates from the same and different host species. No RAPD markers specific to host species or regional origin and no groupi ngs with similar profiles were identified. Monokaryons from five diffe rent dikaryons were fully interfertile, irrespective of their regional or host origin. Implications of the high level of genetic variation a nd absence of specialization within and among Quebec populations of C. purpureum are discussed in view of the possible use of this organism as a mycophytocide to control stump sprouting of various deciduous tre es.