Applicability of rep-PCR genomic fingerprinting to molecular discrimination of members of the genera Phaeoacremonium and Phaeomoniella

This study examined the applicability of rep-PCR genomic fingerprinting to molecular typing of Phaeoacremonium and Phaeomoniella species found on grapevines and associated with the esca syndrome. Fingerprints obtained by rep-PCR were compared with those obtained by microsatellite-primed PCR. The rep-PCR patterns clearly separated the species, and in some cases revealed intraspecific variability. Dendrograms revealed a clear genetic distance between Phaeomoniella chlamydospora and the three Phaeoacremonium species analysed. The results demonstrate that rep-PCR can be a complementary or alternative strategy to other molecular methods as a tool for identification of species and strains of these two genera.