Genetic variability in a collection of Stagonospora nodorum isolates from Western Australia

Stagonospora nodorum isolates were collected from the Western Australian gr ain-belt during 1993. These isolates and a subset of isolates taken from a single location were used to assay the level of variation within the pathog en population. The isolates were compared using anonymous nuclear DNA marke rs. Three low copy-number and a single high copy-number RFLP probe were use d to generate polymorphisms. The collection exhibited a high genotypic dive rsity for the high copy-number probe, a result consistent with the high lev el of sexual reproduction previously found in the fungal population. The hi gh level of genotypic diversity was consistent with previous international studies. There was no evidence of differentiation between the total collect ion of isolates and the subset of isolates taken from the single location. Further work needs to be undertaken to determine if the aggressiveness of t he pathogen is influenced by the host genotype.