Genetic diversity among Fusarium graminearum and F. culmorum isolates based on ISSR markers

To characterize the isolates of F. graminearum and F. culmorum fungi from
Turkey and Iran, we performed ISSR analysis with 18 non-anchored and 23
anchored (including ten novel) primers. Amplification product sizes were
0.2-3.5 kb. In total, 405 bands were scored, 24 of which (5.92%) were
polymorphic. The similarities among F. graminearum isolates were calculated
as 62.3-99%, and among F. culmorum as 65.7-94.3%. Moderate genetic variation
at intra- and inter-specific levels was determined, and the average
intraspecific genetic diversity values were 80.65% for F. graminearum, and
80% for F. culmorum. Cluster analysis separated the isolates into two main
clades. Group I consisted of F. culmorum isolates from Turkey that produced
DON mycotoxin. Group II contained all F. graminearum isolates that were
deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV) chemotypes from Turkey and Iran.
Both groups I and II were divided into two subgroups including their
divisions. Phenons in group II included isolates distributed in the same
geographic region. ISSR markers clustered isolates within a definite order
according to their species. Isolates from the same agro-ecological locations
were also kept together in subdivisions. The novel ISSR markers developed for
the first time in this study contribute to differentiating between Fusarium
isolates according to their species and geographic regions.