ALKALINE EXTRACTION OF DNA FROM PATHOGENIC FUNGI FOR PCR-RFLP ANALYSIS

For the preparation of DNA samples from fungal mycelia alkaline extrac tion method was applied and assessed its usefulness for PCR-RFLP analy sis. Using alkaline treatment protocols, 18S ribosomal DNAs (rDNA) der ived from fungal genomic DNA of Pyricularia oryzae, P. zingiberi, Rhiz octonia solani and R. oryzae were PCR-amplified and digested with Hha I, Msp I and Hae III. RFLP analysis with Hha I showed the divergent po lymorphism between genus Pyricularia and Rhizoctonia. The alkaline DNA extraction method saves the time and labor required for DNA sample pr eparation and seemed to be useful for rapid identification of specific fungal species by PCR-RFLP analysis.