Genetic diversity of Iranian populations of Septoria tritici using RAPD analysis

Septoria leaf blotch is one of the most important wheat diseases worldwide includingIran. To study the genetic diversity of Iranian isolates of Septoria tritici, the infected samples were collected from Khuzestan, Golestan, Ardebil and Kermanshah provinces. Twenty six out of 88 recovered isolates were selected according to their geographical origins for studying virulence and their genetic diversity using RAPD analysis. Analysis of virulence of disease severity data was statistically significant at 99% confidence level (p<0.01). Comparison ofthe means of disease severity, using Duncan’s multiple range test, divided the isolates into five groups. In genetic diversity studies, Six out of 15 random primers were polymorphic and reproducible. Cluster analysis of DNA fingerprint data using UPGMA method and Jaccard's coefficient, divided the isolates into 8 groups at 35% similarity level showing a high genetic diversity among Iranian populations of S. tritici. According to number of clusters in which the isolates of each region were placed, the highest genetic diversity belonged to Ardebil. This is the first report on the study of genetic diversity of Iranian populations of S. tritici.