Use of ribotyping and random amplified polymorphic DNA to differentiate isolates of Burkholderia andropogonis

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the genetic diversity among is olates of Burkholderia andropogonis from various host plant species and geo graphic locations. Methods and Results: Both random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and ribot yping analyses were used to assess the diversity of B. andropogonis isolate s and compare these results with pathogenicity assays carried out on a numb er of common hosts of the organism. Conclusions: Both RAPD and ribotyping analyses revealed a high level of gen etic diversity between isolates of B. andropogonis. Both methods demonstrat ed a similar clustering of isolates. However, there was no strict correlati on between the genetic diversity revealed and the original host, geographic location or pathogenicity of the isolates. Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first report on the genet ic diversity of isolates of B. andro The great degree of diversity revealed in this study contrasts with the lack of phenotypic diversity within this species.