Phylogenetic analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizoctonia solani</Emphasis> subgroups associated with web blight symptoms on common bean based on ITS-5.8S rDNA

Sixty-eight Rhizoctonia solani isolates (31 AG-1, 37 of AG-2-2) associated with web blight (WB) of common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris, were examined for sequence variations in the ITS-5.8S rDNA region. The isolates were collected in bean-growing lowland and mountainous regions in Central and South America. Sequences of these isolates were aligned with other known R. solani sequences from the NCBI GenBank and distance and parsimony analysis were used to obtain phylogenetic trees. WB isolates of AG-1 formed two clades separated from known AG-1 subgroups. WB isolates of AG-2-2 formed one clade separated from known AG-2-2 subgroups. Other isolates belonged to AG-1 IA and AG-1 IB. Based on phylogenetic analysis, we confirmed that at least five genetically different subgroups incite WB of common beans. Three new subgroups of R. solani have been identified and designated as AG-1 IE, AG-1 IF and AG-2-2 WB. DNA sequences of these isolates provided needed information to design taxon-specific primers that can be employed in ecological/epidemiological studies and seed health tests.     

Selective accumulation of Trichoderma species in soils suppressive to radish damping-off disease after repeated inoculations with Rhizoctonia solani, binucleate Rhizoctonia and Sclerotium rolfsii

Artificial suppression of radish damping-off disease was induced by repeated soil inoculations with Rhizoctonia solani, binucleate Rhizoctonia (BNR) and Sclerotium rolfsii in pot systems. Soils repeatedly inoculated with R. solani and BNR showed suppressive to disease caused by R. solani and S. rolfsii, while soils repeatedly inoculated with S. rolfsii were suppressive to disease caused by S. rolfsii but not by R. solani. Species of Trichoderma were consistently isolated from soils repeatedly inoculated with R. solani, BNR and S. rolfsii. These Trichoderma spp. accumulated selectively in relation to the fungal species that was repeatedly added to the soils. The ratios of the frequencies of T. viride, T. harzianum and T. hamatum were 5:2:2 and 8:5:2 in soils repeatedly inoculated with R. solani and BNR, respectively. In S. rolfsii- inoculated soils, T. koningii was predominantly isolated. T. viride, T. harzianum and T. hamatum isolates obtained from either R. solani or BNR after repeated additions to the soils suppressed radish damping-off disease caused after challenge inoculations with R. solani or S. rolfsii. Among the Trichoderma species, T. viride consistently yielded high levels of suppression. However, isolates of T. koningii obtained from S. rolfsii-infested soils suppressed disease caused by S. rolfsii but failed to suppress disease caused by R. solani. Generally, the species of Trichoderma accumulated in a selective pattern that was closely related to the species of fungal pathogen used to induce the suppressive soil.     

Biocontrol ofRhizoctonia damping-off of cucumber by non-pathogenic binucleateRhizoctonia

Three isolates of binucleateRhizoctonia (BNR) were tested for biological control of damping-off of cucumber seedlings caused byRhizoctonia solani AG 2-2 and AG 4. BNR isolates L2 (AG Ba) and W1 and W7 (AG A) provided protection of 58 to 71% against virulent isolate C4 of AG 4 and 64 to 75% protection against virulent isolate RH 65 of AG 2-2. Varying protection was provided to the seedlings by the BNR isolates against the virulentR. solani from the two AGs depending on their combination. The BNR isolates did not vary in providing protection to the seedling when tested against virulent C4 when both isolates were inoculated using three different methods,viz. in water agar, combination of water agar and soil and using soil alone. Protection of 58 to 71 % was provided by the isolates when inoculation was done on the hypocotyl using water agar, 62.8 to 75% using the combination of water agar and soil, and 75 to 85% when inoculation of both isolates was done in soil. Pre-incubation of BNR W7 or delayed inoculation of C4 (from 0.5 day to longer duration) using the different methods provided an increased protection to the seedlings to give complete inhibition of damping-off disease. Simultaneous inoculation of both BNR W7 and C4 using the three methods failed to provide protection to the seedlings. Among the BNR isolates, BNR W7 showed plant growth promotion in terms of significant increase in plant height (P=0.01) and fresh weight (P=0.05).     

Identification and pathogenicity of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizoctonia solani</Emphasis> and binucleate<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizoctonia</Emphasis> anastomosis groups isolated from forage legumes in Erzurum,Turkey

Abstrast  Three-hundred-twenty-five isolates ofRhizoctonia (215R. solani and 110 binucleateRhizoctonia) were obtained from roots and crowns of alfalfa, sainfoin and common vetch grown in Erzurum, Turkey. The isolates were assigned to five anastomosis groups (AG) ofR. solani (AG-2-1, AG-3, AG-4, AG-5, and AG-10) and two anastomosis groups of binucleateRhizoctonia (AG-I and AG-K). In pathogenicity tests on alfalfa, sainfoin and common vetch, the highest disease severities were caused by isolates of AG-4 and AG-5. Isolates of AG-10 and AG-I were not pathogenic on the three tested forage legumes, whereas isolates of AG-K on alfalfa and sainfoin, and of AG-2-1 on sainfoin, were moderately virulent. Alfalfa isolate AG-3 was moderately virulent on sainfoin. This is the first report ofR. solani AG-3, AG-5, AG-10 and binucleateRhizoctonia AG-I on alfalfa. In addition, all theR. solani and binucleateRhizoctonia groups isolated from sainfoin and common vetch were recovered from these crops for the first time in Turkey. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Dec. 16, 2002.     

Identification of sugar beet germplasm EL51 as a source of resistance to post-emergence Rhizoctonia damping-off

Resistance of sugar beet seedlings to Rhizoctonia damping-off caused by Rhizoctonia solani has not been described. A series of preliminary characterisations using a single susceptible host and four different R. solani isolates suggested the disease progression pattern was predictable. Two AG-4 isolates and a less virulent AG-2-2 isolate (W22) showed a comparable pattern of disease progression in the growth chamber where disease index values increased for the first 5–6 days, were relatively constant for the next 7–8 days, and declined thereafter. Seedlings inoculated with a highly virulent AG-2-2 isolate (R-1) under the same conditions showed similar patterns for the first 4 days post-inoculation; however disease index values continued to increase until seedling death at 13–14 days. Similar results were observed in the greenhouse, and a small expanded set of other germplasm lines were screened. One tested germplasm accession, EL51, survived seedling inoculation with R. solani AG-2-2 R-1, and its disease progress pattern was characterised. In a field seedling disease nursery artificially inoculated with R. solani AG-2-2 R-1, seedling persistence was high with EL51, but not with a susceptible hybrid. Identification of EL51 as a source of resistance to Rhizoctonia damping-off may allow investigations into the Beta vulgaris–Rhizoctonia solani pathosystem and add value in sugar beet breeding.     

Characterization of Rhizoctonia Species Associated with Foliar Necrosis and Leaf Scorch of Clonally-propagated Eucalyptus in Brazil

The objective was to identify and characterize the causal agent of foliar necrosis and leaf scorch of Eucalyptus spp. in Brazil. Nineteen putative isolates of Rhizoctonia obtained from Eucalyptus plants during clonal propagation were compared with isolates from other hosts and with tester strains of anastomosis groups of Rhizoctonia solani. Features compared were morphological characteristics of anamorphs and teleomorphs, numbers of nuclei per cell in the vegetative hyphae, anastomosis of hyphae, and ability to produce necrotic lesions on cuttings and damping-off of E. grandis×E. urophylla hybrid seedlings. Rhizoctonia solani AG1 (AG1-IB like) was the most frequent causal agent isolated from Eucalyptus plants and cuttings with symptoms of leaf scorch and foliar necrosis respectively. These isolates were highly virulent on Eucalyptus cuttings and presented naturally epiphytic growth on Eucalyptus shoots. Binucleate isolates and isolates of R. solani AG4 were also virulent on cuttings and were most virulent on Eucalyptus seedlings causing pre- and post-emergence damping-off. Virulence on Eucalyptus cuttings and seedlings was not restricted to a single species or anastomosis group of Rhizoctonia.     

Antagonismus in vivo von fluoreszierenden Pseudomonaden gegenüber Rhizoctonia solani und Pythium aphanidermatum an Gurken und Buschbohnen

Fluoreszierende Pseudomonaden, die sich als Antagonistenin vitro gegenüberRhizoctonia solani undPythium aphanidermatum erwiesen haben, wurden an Gurken und Bohnen auf Antagonismusin vivo untersucht. Die Effizienz der Antagonisten in Auflaufversuchen gegenüberR. solani war niedriger als beiP. aphanidermatum. Die besten Isolate konnten in mitR. solani verseuchter Erde Auflaufraten von 30–40% erzielen, gegenüberP. aphanidermatum dagegen 40–60%. Die Wirkung der Antagonisten zur Verhütung von Spätinfektionen der Pflanzen war deutlich besser. So konnten 16 Isolate eine Schädigung durchR. solani an Bohnen zwischen 90 und 100% reduzieren. An Gurken konnten 12 Isolate eine Schädigung durchP. aphanidermatum auf 70–80% reduzieren.Fluorescent pseudomonads, which showed antagonism in vitro against Rhizoctonia solani and Pythium aphanidermatum, were investigated for antagonism in vivo using bean and cucumber. The efficiency of the antagonists in germination tests against Rhizoctonia solani was lower than against Pythium aphanidermatum. In soil infected with Rhizoctonia solani the germination rates of the seeds remained between 30 and 40%, whereas against Phytium aphanidermatum some Pseudomonas-strains caused germination rates of 40–60%. The preventive effect of the antagonists against fungal infection after the germination was better. 16 isolates reduced the damage caused by Rhizoctonia solani to bean between 90 and 100%. Damage caused by Pythium aphanidermatum to cucumber was reduced by 12 antagonists between 70 and 80%.

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Characterisation of Rhizoctonia solani Anastomosis Groups Causing Bottom Rot in Field-Grown Lettuce in Germany

Bottom rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani is an increasing problem in field-grown lettuce in Germany. During the growing seasons of 1999 and 2000, 95 isolates of R. solani from lettuce plants with bottom rot symptoms were collected from eight locations. The isolates were characterised using hyphal anastomosis, pectic zymograms and morphological characteristics. Ninety-three isolates were identified as anastomosis group (AG) 1-IB, one as AG 1-IC and one as AG 2-1. Optimum hyphal growth was measured over a temperature range of 20–30 °C with an optimum at 25 °C. Aggressiveness of the AG 1-IB isolates varied from weak to strong when tested on detached lettuce leaves. The pathogenic potential of six AG 1-IB isolates was determined on 14 plant species in comparison with lettuce under conditions favourable for the fungus. Radish, broccoli, kohlrabi, spinach and millet seedlings were as severely infected as lettuce seedlings. The same isolates caused little symptoms on maize, tomato and onion. Knowledge about the host range of AGs of R. solani are important for planning an effective crop rotation as part of a control management system.     

Assessing genetic diversity in the web blight pathogen <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thanatephorus cucumeris</Emphasis> (anamorph = <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizoctonia solani</Emphasis>) subgroups AG-1-IE and AG-1-IF with molecular markers

Web blight, an important foliar disease of dry beans in the Americas, is a challenge to manage. We studied genetic variation of 92 isolates of Rhizoctonia solani subgroups AG-1-IE and AG-1-IF using DNA fingerprinting methods and mycelial compatibility grouping. The isolates were collected over 13 years from bean fields in the Dominican Republic, Honduras and Puerto Rico. Cluster and AMOVA analysis of combined data from two universal rice primers and two internal sequence repeats revealed significant genetic variation among and within populations of both subgroups. Variation was influenced by geographic origin and sampling year for AG-1-IE isolates and geographic origin for AG-1-IF isolates. Mycelial compatibility of paired isolates was mostly scored as incompatible in both subgroups and supported many unique phenotypes. Only two isolates of AG-1-IE displayed mycelial compatibility and DNA fingerprints, suggesting clonal origin. Genetic variation in these AG-1-IE and AG-1-IF isolate populations may explain the lack of durable resistance to web blight reported in dry beans.     

Effects of soil moisture and sowing depth on the development of bean plants grown in sterile soil infested by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizoctonia solani</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma harzianum</Emphasis>

The effects of soil moisture (varying from 15% to 42% (v/v)) and sowing depth (1.5–6.0 cm) on the development of bean plants grown in sterile soil infested by the pathogen Rhizoctonia solani and its antagonist Trichoderma harzianum were studied under greenhouse conditions. The four possible combinations of soil infestation with both fungi were tested. Disease severity, percentage of plants emerged, plant height and dry weight were evaluated 3 weeks after sowing. Emergence rate and growth of plants inoculated only with R. solani were not affected by soil moisture, but in the presence of both fungi, plant emergence, plant height and dry weight significantly decreased when soil moisture diminished. Deep sowing significantly reduced the emergence rate and growth of those plants that were inoculated with R. solani only. However, when the soil was infested with both fungi, the effect of sowing depth was not significant. At a sowing depth of 6.0 cm, the percentage of plants emerged was 50% in the presence of T. harzianum, but only 6.7% when the pathogen was inoculated alone. The antagonist protected bean seedlings from pre-emergence damping-off, reduced disease severity and increased plant growth in the presence of R. solani, especially in moist soil.     

Characterization ofRhizoctonia solani isolates from potatoes in turkey and screening potato cultivars for resistance to AG-3 isolates

A total of 304Rhizoctonia solani isolates and 60 binucleateRhizoctonia-like fungi were recovered from stems and tubers of infected potato plants over a 2-yr period in northeast Turkey.R. solani isolates were identified to 11 anastomosis groups (AGs): AG-1 (0.66%), AG-2-1 (5.6%), AG-2-2 (0.99%), AG-3 (83.9%), AG-5 (4.6%), AG-6 (0.66%), AG-8 (1.32%), AG-9 (0.33%), AG-10 (1.32%), AG-12 (0.33%), and AG-13 (0.33%). In the greenhouse tests, most of the AG-3 isolates were significantly more virulent than isolates belonging to other AGs on potato cv. Batum. Isolates of other anastomosis groups differed in their virulence. Results indicated that AG-3 is an important pathogen on potatoes grown in the study area. Five of 22 commercial and local potato cultivars evaluated for their reaction toR. solani AG-3 isolates (TP-2) under greenhouse conditions were highly resistant; the remaining cultivars exhibited different levels of susceptibility to the pathogen isolate. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting July 14, 2005.     

Mitigation of vanillic acid-promoted faba bean Fusarium wilt by faba bean–wheat intercropping

Long-term continuous monocropping of faba beans increases the incidence of faba bean wilt, while faba bean–wheat intercropping can effectively control it. This study aimed to understand the underlying mechanism of faba bean–wheat intercropping for the control of Fusarium oxysporum and vanillic acid (VA)-promoted occurrence of faba bean wilt. The occurrence of faba bean wilt was investigated among the monocropped and intercropped plants of faba beans in a field experiment. The contents and types of phenolic acids were examined in the rhizosphere soil. Monocropped and intercropped faba beans were examined under the dual stress of F. oxysporum and different concentrations of VA (0, 50, 100, 200 mg/L) to understand the alleviating mechanism of faba bean–wheat intercropping. Exogenous addition of high concentrations of VA significantly inhibited the growth and reproduction of F. oxysporum, but under the dual stress of F. oxysporum and different concentrations of VA, it significantly inhibited the defence enzymes of faba bean roots, stems, and leaves, and rhizosphere soil enzymes. Interestingly, faba bean–wheat intercropping alleviated VA stress and thereby the incidence and disease index of faba bean Fusarium wilt by improving plant resistance and soil enzyme activity. The dual stress of F. oxysporum and VA promotes the occurrence of Fusarium wilt by damaging the defence system of the faba bean root system and rhizosphere soil environment. However, faba bean–wheat intercropping effectively alleviates the autotoxicity of VA by improving the physiological and biochemical resistance of faba beans and soil enzyme activities, and thus controls the occurrence of Fusarium wilt.     

Comparison of sequences for the internal transcribed spacer region in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizoctonia solani</Emphasis> AG 1-ID and other subgroups of AG 1

The rDNA-ITS sequence of Rhizoctonia solani AG 1-ID was determined and compared to those of R. solani AG 1-IA, AG 1-IB, and AG 1-IC. The similarity of the isolates from each AG 1 subgroup was almost identical (99%–100%), whereas it was lower between subgroups (91%–95%) than within subgroups. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that isolates of AG 1-ID and other subgroups were separately clustered. Isolates of R. solani AG 1 were clearly separated from R. solani AG 2-1, AG 4, and binucleate Rhizoctonia AG-Bb and AG-K. These results showed that analysis of the rDNA-ITS sequence is an optimal criterion for differentiating R. solani AG 1-ID from other subgroups of R. solani AG 1.     

Characterization of Rhizoctonia solani Associated with Soybean in Brazil

Rhizoctonia solani causes pre- and post-emergence damping-off, root and hypocotyl rot and foliar blight in soybean. Foliar blight has resulted in yield losses of 31–60% in north and northeast Brazil. The aim of this study was to characterize isolates of R. solani associated with soybean in Brazil. Among 73 Rhizoctonia isolates examined, six were binucleate and 67 were multinucleate. The multinucleate iso1ates were characterized according to hyphal anastomosis reaction, mycelial growth rate, thiamine requirement, sclerotia production, and RAPD molecular markers. Four isolates that caused hypocotyl rot belonged to AG-4 and using RAPD analysis they grouped together with the HGI subgroup. Another isolate that caused root and hypocotyl rots was thiamine auxotrophic, grew at 35°C, and belonged to AG-2-2 IIIB. All 62 isolates that caused foliar blight belonged to AG-1 IA. RAPD analysis of R. solani AG-1 IA soybean isolates showed high genetic similarity to a tester strain of AG-1 IA, confirming their classification. The teleomorph of R. solani, Thanatephorus cucumeris was produced in vitro by one AG-1 IA isolate from soybean. The AG-4 and AG-2-2 IIIB isolates caused damping-off and root and hypocotyl rots of soybean seedlings cv. FT-Cristalina, under greenhouse conditions. The AG-2-2 IIIB isolate caused large lesions on the cortex tissue, that was distinct from the symptoms caused by AG-4 isolates. The AG-1 IA isolates caused foliar blight in adult soybean plants cv. Xingu under the greenhouse and also in a detached-leaf assay.     

Medicago truncatula as a model host for studying legume infecting Rhizoctonia solani and identification of a locus affecting resistance to root canker

The broad‐host‐range necrotizing fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani is responsible for economically significant diseases to crops as diverse as wheat, maize, barley, canola, sugar beet, potato, soyabean, bean, lupin and alfalfa. Germplasm screens in many of the crop hosts have not identified strong genetic resistance which, together with the lack of effective control, mean the pathogen remains a substantial problem for agriculture in many parts of the world. Following the establishment of a robust inoculation assay, a germplasm collection of the model legume Medicago truncatula was screened with various legume‐infecting isolates of R. solani. While some significant differences in susceptibility/resistance were detected between some lines, in the majority of cases M. truncatula was susceptible to R. solani. Comparison of a legume‐ and cereal‐infecting AG8 isolate with a legume‐specific AG11 isolate revealed no difference in pathogenicity between the two isolates when infecting M. truncatula. The most significant differences in susceptibility occurred with an AG6 isolate, which caused root canker. This included significant differences between the moderate resistance of the M. truncatula reference genotype A17 and the high susceptibility of line A20. The analysis of a recombinant inbred line population derived from A17 and A20 revealed a single locus contributing to the resistance in A17. Interestingly, the locus only affected the development of post‐emergent (late) symptoms, such as necrosis of cotyledons at 11 days after inoculation and root‐ and above‐ground‐weights, but not pre‐emergent seedling damping off. These findings pave the way for further studies to dissect the genetic and molecular mechanisms of resistance.     

Root rot pathogens in field soil,roots and seeds in relation to common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), disease and seed production

The interrelationships among bean productivity, prevalence of pathogens in roots, seeds and soil, and root rot disease were described at the pod maturity stage in 13 commercial fields. The soil population and frequency of pathogens isolated from seeds varied by pathogen species and field location. Fusarium solani was the most prevalent fungus isolated from bean seeds and field soil compared to Rhizoctonia solani, Macrophomina phaseolina and F. oxysporum. Principal component analysis revealed that the first component explaining 32% of the total variance was correlated with the root rot index. PC1 was more strongly linked to root and seed infections in comparison with soil populations of pathogens. Based on a correlation between PC2 (accounting for 23% of the total variance) and the number of seeds per bean plant, charcoal, Fusarium and Rhizoctonia root rots were recognized as more important determinants of seed losses to root rot disease. There were correlations among the major pathogens infecting either roots or seeds of beans. These findings provide useful information for future experimental plans to optimize management strategies for bean root rots.     

Identification of Rhizoctonia solani AG 1-IB in Lettuce, AG 4 HG-I in Tomato and Melon, and AG 4 HG-III in Broccoli and Spinach, in Brazil

Fungi isolated in Brazil, from lettuce, broccoli, spinach, melon and tomato, were identified as Rhizoctonia solani. All lettuce isolates anastomosed with both AG 1-IA and IB subgroups and all isolates from broccoli, spinach, melon and tomato anastomosed with AG 4 subgroup HG-I, as well as with subgroups HG-II and HG-III. DNA sequence analyses of ribosomal internal transcribed spacers showed that isolates from lettuce were AG 1-IB, isolates from tomato and melon were AG 4 HG-I, and isolates from broccoli and spinach were AG 4 HG-III. The tomato isolates caused stem rot symptoms, the spinach, broccoli and melon isolates caused hypocotyl and root rot symptoms on the respective host plants and the lettuce isolates caused bottom rot. This is the first report on the occurrence in Brazil of R. solani AG 4 HG-I in tomato and melon, of AG 4 HG-III in broccoli and spinach and of AG 1-IB in lettuce.     

Induction of systemic resistance by a hypovirulent Rhizoctonia solani isolate in tomato

A polynucleate Rhizoctonia isolate (R3) was analysed for virulence, growth characteristics, enzyme production and presence of dsRNAs. Taxonomic position was assessed morphologically and by anastomosis group (AG) testing and ITS sequence analysis. Results indicated that R3 is a hypovirulent R. solani AG 4. Mechanisms underlying biocontrol towards virulent R. solani and Botrytis cinerea were investigated and plant-mediated resistance was followed using biochemical markers of defence (PR1, laminarinase, chitinase). Control apparently relies on spatial and nutrient competition in soil, and on systemic induced resistance. This is the first report on induction of systemic resistance and of defence markers by a hypovirulent strain of R. solani.     

Molecular identification and pathogenicity of Rhizoctonia solani and Pythium spp. associated with damping-off disease on baby leafy vegetables in Greece

In the last years, leafy vegetables cultivated as baby leaves have been established in the market and have attracted the interest of consumers throughout the world. During the growing seasons of 2019 and 2020, 97 isolates of Rhizoctonia solani and 112 isolates of Pythium spp. were obtained from baby leaf vegetables exhibited damping-off symptoms. Representative isolates of R. solani from each surveyed plant species were characterized using sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (rDNA-ITS) region. Isolates were identified as belonging to four anastomosis groups (AGs): AG2-1, AG-IB, AG4-HGI and AG4-HGIII. AG4-HGI was the most prevalent group and phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolates were distinctly separated according to their AGs. Pathogenicity among the four AGs on 23 plant species varied considerably, from not susceptible to highly susceptible, while, in general, AGs did not exhibit host specificity. Furthermore, a total of 112 Pythium spp. isolates were obtained. The ITS region and the cytochrome oxidase II (coxII) gene were amplified, and three Pythium spp. were identified (P. ultimum, P. aphanidermatum and P. sylvaticum), which were used further for maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis. The pathogenicity of representative isolates was assessed in vitro and in vivo on 10 plant species. In general, all three tested Pythium spp. were virulent when used in vitro, while P. ultimum was the most virulent in vivo. This is the first comprehensive study aimed at determining the occurrence of specific R. solani AGs and Pythium spp. derived from baby leafy vegetables exhibiting damping-off symptoms in Greece.     

Population structure of the rice sheath blight pathogen <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizoctonia solani</Emphasis> AG-1 IA from India

The population structure of Rhizoctonia solani AG-1 IA causing rice sheath blight from India was evaluated for 96 isolates using seven RFLP loci. Nineteen of the isolates did not hybridise to R. solani AG-1 IA RFLP probes and rDNA analyses subsequently confirmed that they were either Ceratobasidium oryzae-sativae isolates or another Rhizoctonia sp. The population structure of the remaining 77 R. solani AG-1 IA Indian isolates was similar to that of a previously characterized Texas population. Clonal dispersal of R. solani AG-1 IA in India was moderate within fields and no clones were shared among field populations. Low levels of population subdivision and small genetic distances among populations were consistent with high levels of gene flow. Frequent sexual reproduction was indicated by the fact that most populations were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE). The two loci (R68 and R111) that deviated significantly from HWE showed an excess of heterozygosity. Although Texas and Indian populations were geographically very distant, they exhibited only moderate population subdivision, with an F_ST value of 0.193.