RAPD-PCR CHARACTERIZATION OF VARIETIES OF THE COMMON BEAN (PHASEOLUS-VULGARIS L) USED TO IDENTIFY RACES OF ANTHRACNOSE FUNGUS (COLLETOTRICHUM-LINDEMUTHIANUM)

The Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was used to fing erprint and determine the genetic distances among the twelve genotypes of Phaseolus vulgaris L. used internationally to differentiate races of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. Leaf DNA was extracted from plants f rom each cultivar and used as a template for the amplification reactio ns. Twenty-four different oligonucleotide primer decamers were used, a nd 74 reproducible amplification products were obtained, 59 of them be ing polymorphic. Genetic divergence was determined based on the presen ce (1) or absence (0) of the DNA bands in the individuals analyzed. Cl uster analysis was performed by the method of Tocher, based on the ari thmetical complement of the Jaccard index and by the method of the nea rest neighbour. Both gave the same results, grouping the cultivars in similar clusters. The bidimensional graphic dispersion of the individu als demonstrate that the largest genetic distance was between cultivar s PI 207262 and AB 136, and cultivars Ferry Marrow and Dark Red Kidney , while the shortest distance was between Dark Red Kidney and Ferry Ma rrow.