abstract
- Genetic variability in 6 host genotype-specific pathotypes of the pearl millet downy mildew pathogen, S. graminicola, was studied at the molecular level using mini- and micro-satellites. The results indicated that microsatellites (GAA)61, (GACA)4 and especially (GATA)4 were quite informative and showed high levels of polymorphism among the pathotypes. The 6 pathotypes could be classified into 5 groups based on the cluster analysis of their genetic similarities, thereby confirming the existence of distinct host genotype-specific virulence in S. graminicola pathotypes. The use of DNA fingerprinting to detect genetic variation in the downy mildew fungus of pearl millet was demonstrated for the first time