Development of a Specific Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Assay for the Identification of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris and Its Pathogenic Races 0, 1A, 5, and 6

ABSTRACT Specific primers and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays that identify Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris and each of the F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceris pathogenic races 0, 1A, 5, and 6 were developed. F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceris- and race-specific random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers identified in a previous study were cloned and sequenced, and sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) primers for specific PCR were developed. Each cloned RAPD marker was characterized by Southern hybridization analysis of Eco RI-digested genomic DNA of a subset of F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceris and nonpathogenic F. oxysporum isolates. All except two cloned RAPD markers consisted of DNA sequences that were found highly repetitive in the genome of all F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceris races. F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceris isolates representing eight reported races from a wide geographic range, nonpathogenic F. oxysporum isolates, isolates of F. oxysporum f. spp. lycopersici, melonis, niveum, phaseoli, and pisi, and isolates of 47 different Fusarium spp. were tested using the SCAR markers developed. The specific primer pairs amplified a single 1,503-bp product from all F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceris isolates; and single 900- and 1,000-bp products were selectively amplified from race 0 and race 6 isolates, respectively. The specificity of these amplifications was confirmed by hybridization analysis of the PCR products. A race 5-specific identification assay was developed using a touchdown-PCR procedure. A joint use of race 0- and race 6-specific SCAR primers in a single-PCR reaction together with a PCR assay using the race 6-specific primer pair correctly identified race 1A isolates for which no RAPD marker had been found previously. All the PCR assays described herein detected up to 0.1 ng of fungal genomic DNA. The specific SCAR primers and PCR assays developed in this study clearly identify and differentiate isolates of F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceris and of each of its pathogenic races 0, 1A, 5, and 6.     

Development of a PCR assay to detect Fusarium poae in wheat

Random amplified polymorphic DNA assays were carried out on a range of isolates of F. poae to identify markers common to all isolates. Two fragments were isolated, cloned and used to probe Southern blots of DNA from F. poae and isolates from a range of wheat seed and stem base pathogens. One fragment, which hybridized preferentially to DNA of F. poae was partially sequenced and two pairs of primers (Fp8 F/R and Fp82 F/R) were generated for use in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Amplification of target DNA occurred following PCR of all isolates of F. poae but not from any of a range of other fungal species associated with diseases of cereal ears and seed. The primer pair Fp82 F/R was used to detect F. poae in extracts from wheat seed samples contaminated with Fusarium species. This system offers the potential to determine the presence of F. poae in wheat and avoid problems commonly associated with conventional diagnosis of the disease and isolation of the pathogen.     

利用RAPD-STS和实时定量PCR鉴别菠菜枯萎病病原菌(Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.spinaciae)

 菠菜枯萎病是由致病性镰刀菌(F.o.f.sp.spinaciae)引起的,是菠菜生产中的重要病害之一。利用常规方法鉴定菠菜枯萎病病原菌需耗费大量时间,并且很难得到正确的结论。随机扩增多态性DNA序列标签(Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA-sequence tagged sites,RAPD-STS)为病原菌鉴定提供了一种有效方法。本研究通过对供试菌株的RAPD分析,克隆出了1个菠菜枯萎病病原菌的特异片段(GenBank登录号:AY337463)。根据测序结果设计了1对菠菜枯萎病病原菌的特异引物,并利用常规PCR和实时定量PCR(real-time PCR)2种方法对病原菌进行了鉴定,并对2种方法的敏感性进行了比较。结果表明,2种PCR方法都可以鉴定菠菜枯萎病病原菌(F.o.f.sp.spinaciae),但二者对病原菌DNA敏感程度不同,常规PCR检测的最低DNA量100Pg,而实时定量PCR检测的最低DNA量是1pg。同时,实时定量PCR还可以对病原菌DNA进行定量分析,并依此估算病原菌的数量。该方法可用于菠菜枯萎病病原菌的快速鉴定和病因诊断。     

PCR detection of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. gladioli race 1, causal agent of Gladiolus yellows disease, from infected corms

Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. gladioli (FOG) race 1 infects both large- and small-flowered Gladiolus cultivars. Race 2 isolates infect only small-flowered cultivars but can be present as epiphytes on large-flowered plants. When 160 arbitrary 10-mer oligonucleotide primers were tested on FOG by PCR to find RAPD markers specific for race 1, the RAPD primer G12 amplified two discriminating DNA fragments, AB (609 bp) and EF (1196 bp), in race 1 isolates only. Both fragments were cloned and sequenced. Two pairs of race 1-specific primers for multiplex PCR were designed. Tests of 112 F. oxysporum isolates by PCR showed that, in almost all cases, race 1 isolates of vegetative compatibility group 0340 could be distinguished with these primers. Seven putative race 1 isolates did not react in multiplex PCR; hybridization studies with labelled AB and EF DNA fragments showed that these isolates belong to separate groups. A bioassay was developed to detect corms that were latently infected with FOG race 1. Gladiolus corms were homogenized and incubated for 5 days at 28°C in a semiselective medium to induce growth of Fusarium . Cultivated mycelium was isolated and subjected to the developed multiplex PCR after standard DNA isolation or disruption by microwave treatment.     

Characterization of Fusarium spp. responsible for causing dry rot of potato in Great Britain

A 3-year survey was undertaken to establish the relative frequency of different Fusarium spp. present as inoculum on potato tubers collected from four regions of Great Britain. A total of 219 samples (comprising 10 950 tubers) were collected from the 2000, 2001 and 2002 crops and processed to recover dry rot-producing isolates. In total, 228 isolates of Fusarium spp. were recovered. Most (94·7%) of these isolates were attributed to one of four Fusarium species: F. coeruleum, F. avenaceum, F. culmorum and F. sambucinum (formerly F. sulphureum) . The incidence of the combined Fusarium spp. increased the further south the crops had been grown. Fusarium coeruleum was the most commonly isolated species in each survey year, comprising 37 to 52% of the total Fusarium species. Selected isolates of each species were evaluated for their ability to produce rots in potato tubers. Fusarium sambucinum was a more aggressive pathogen than the other Fusarium species in eight out of 10 cultivars. Fusarium avenaceum and F. culmorum were relatively weaker pathogens. However, these species were aggressive on some cultivars, notably Hermes. The selected isolates were also assessed for their sensitivity to the fungicides thiabendazole and imazalil. Using in vitro tests, 65% of F. sambucinum isolates were resistant to thiabendazole and 7% of F. avenaceum isolates were resistant to imazalil. Tubers treated with imazalil yielded a higher proportion of isolates of F. avenaceum than those that were untreated. Similarly, a higher proportion of F. sambucinum isolates were recovered from tubers treated with thiabendazole than from those that were not treated.     

常熟地区蚕豆枯萎病病原菌鉴定及其致病力初探

2000、2001年在江苏省常熟地区采集了有典型枯萎症状的蚕豆标样各50个,获94个镰刀菌单孢菌株。经鉴定分别属于尖孢镰孢(Fusarium axysporum)、燕麦镰孢(F.avenaceum)、串珠镰孢(F.moniliforme )、木贼镰孢(F.equiseti)、三线镰孢(F.tricinctum)、禾谷镰孢(F.graminearum)和茄镰孢(F.solani),其中尖孢镰孢、燕麦镰孢、串珠镰孢、木贼镰孢为该地区蚕豆镰刀菌枯萎病的主要病原菌。测定了48个镰刀菌菌株对蚕豆的致病力,尖孢镰孢、木贼镰孢、串珠镰孢和燕麦镰孢对蚕豆的致病力都较强。用蚕豆枯萎病菌和棉花枯萎病菌交叉接种棉花和蚕豆,结果表明两者存在着较强的交互侵染能力。     

Single Cystosorus Isolate Production and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Characterization of the Obligate Biotroph Spongospora subterranea f. sp. subterranea

ABSTRACT Spongospora subterranea f. sp. subterranea causes powdery scab in potatoes and is distributed worldwide. Genetic studies of this pathogen have been hampered due, in part, to its obligate parasitism and the lack of molecular markers for this pathogen. In this investigation, a single cystosorus inoculation technique was developed to produce large amounts of S. subterranea f. sp. subterranea plasmodia or zoosporangia in eastern black nightshade (Solanum ptycanthum) roots from which DNA was extracted. Cryopreservation of zoosporangia was used for long-term storage of the isolates. S. subterranea f. sp. subterranea-specific restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers were developed from randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fragments. Cystosori of S. subterranea f. sp. subterranea were used for RAPD assays and putative pathogen-specific RAPD fragments were cloned and sequenced. The fragments were screened for specificity by Southern hybridization and subsequent DNA sequence BLAST search. Four polymorphic S. subterranea f. sp. subterranea-specific probes containing repetitive elements, and one containing single copy DNA were identified. These RFLP probes were then used to analyze 24 single cystosorus isolates derived from eight geographic locations in the United States and Canada. Genetic variation was recorded among, but not within, geographic locations. Cluster analysis separated the isolates into two major groups: group I included isolates originating from western North America, with the exception of those from Colorado, and group II included isolates originating from eastern North America and from Colorado. The techniques developed in this study, i.e., production of single cystosorus isolates of S. subterranea f. sp. subterranea and development of RFLP markers for this pathogen, provide methods to further study the genetic structure of S. subterranea f. sp. subterranea.     

Genetic Characterization by RAPD Analysis of Isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. erythroxyli Associated with an Emerging Epidemic in Peru

ABSTRACT An epidemic of vascular wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. erythroxyli is currently occurring on Erythroxylum coca var. coca in the coca-growing regions of the Huallaga Valley in Peru. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis of isolates of the pathogen was undertaken to elucidate its genetic complexity, as well as to identify a specific DNA fingerprint for the pathogen. Two hundred isolates of Fusarium were collected from 10 coca-growing regions in Peru. Of these, 187 were confirmed to be F. oxysporum, and 143 of the F. oxysporum were shown to be pathogens of coca by a root-dip pathogenicity test. The pathogens could be grouped into two subpopulations based on RAPD analysis, and no polymorphism in RAPD pattern was observed among isolates of either subpopulation. Both subpopulations were present in the central Huallaga Valley, where earliest reports of the epidemic occurred. RAPD analysis could easily distinguish the isolates of F. oxysporum f. sp. erythroxyli from the nonpathogenic isolates of F. oxysporum from E. coca var. coca, indicating its utility in DNA fingerprinting.     

Development of specific markers for identification of Indian isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ricini

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ricini (F. o. ricini) is a ubiquitous soil borne pathogen which causes wilt disease on castor (Ricinus communis L). Rapid and reliable detection of the pathogen is essential for undertaking appropriate and timely disease management measures. Identification based on cultural, morphological characteristics and pathogenicity tests are time-consuming and laborious. Traditional methods are now being increasingly replaced by molecular detection techniques, which are much faster and more specific. In this study we have identified two RAPD markers of 1100?bp and 1350?bp in size which can be amplified by OPJ-14 and OPK-12 primers respectively for detection of F. o. ricini. These two fragments were fully sequenced and two pairs of SCAR primers (For-J14 Fwd/Rev and For-K12 Fwd/Rev) were designed. The specific primer pairs amplified a single band from all F. o. ricini isolates and there was no amplification from another thirteen Fusarium species / subspecies tested. These results clearly demonstrate that the designed SCAR primer pairs can be used consistently to detect F. o. ricini isolates, isolated from the diseased samples or soil samples. To our knowledge this is the first report on generation of SCAR markers for identification of Indian F. o. ricini isolates.     

Resistance to thiabendazole in Fusarium species isolated from potato tubers affected by dry rot

Fusarium species obtained from stored potato tubers affected with dry rot were grown on agar containing thiabendazole. All 40 isolates of F. coeruleum and 60 isolates of F. avenaceum tested were sensitive to the fungicide, but 68% of the 85 isolates of F. sulphureum and one isolate of F. culmorum were classified as resistant. When isolates were made from dry rots on tubers that had been treated with thiabendazole during loading into store, all 81 isolates of F. sulphureum were resistant, whereas all the isolates of F. coeruleum (25), F. avenaceum (4) and Phoma foveata (10) were sensitive. Resistance was not found in five isolates of Cylindrocarpon destructans. All the Fusarium spp. were sensitive to imazalil and were pathogenic when inoculated into potato tubers. Resistant and sensitive isolates of F. sulphureum caused rots of similar size.     

玉米穗腐病和茎基腐病镰孢菌间相关性的RAPD分析

 利用随机扩增多态性DNA (RAPD)技术对玉米穗腐病和茎基腐病镰孢菌之间的相互关系进行了研究,证实了引起2种病害的串珠镰孢菌同源性很高,在遗传上具有较高的相似性,病菌不易受地域或环境和寄生部位选择作用的影响,同一类型的串珠镰孢菌可以是穗腐病和茎腐病的共同病原菌。禾谷镰孢菌间的遗传变异性很强,易受地域、环境和寄生部位选择作用的影响,出现明显的分化现象,穗腐病和茎基腐病可以由同一禾谷镰孢菌分化类型侵染所致,也可由不同分化类型侵染所致。     

Identification of Race 1 of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae on Lettuce by Inter-Retrotransposon Sequence-Characterized Amplified Region Technique

ABSTRACT Fusarium wilt of lettuce, caused worldwide by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae, is an emerging seed-transmitted disease on Lactuca sativa. In order to develop a molecular diagnostic tool for identifying race 1 (VCG0300) of the pathogen on vegetable samples, an effective technique is presented. Inter-retrotransposon amplified polymorphism polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a technique based on the amplification of genomic regions between long terminal repeats, was applied. It was shown to be useful for grouping F. oxysporum f. sp. lactucae race 1 isolates. Inter-retrotransposon sequence-characterized amplified regions (IR-SCAR) was used to develop a specific set of PCR primers to be utilized for differentiating F. oxysporum f. sp. lactucae isolates from other F. oxysporum isolates. The specific primers were able to uniquely amplify fungal genomic DNA from race 1 isolates obtained in Italy, Portugal, the United States, Japan, and Taiwan. The primers also were specific to pathogen DNA obtained from artificially infected lettuce seed and naturally and artificially infected plants.     

尖孢镰刀菌及芬芳镰刀菌遗传多样性的ISSR分析

 为了明确镰刀菌属(Fusarium)美丽组（Section Elegans）中尖孢镰刀菌(F. oxysporum)和芬芳镰刀菌（F. redolens）2种菌的遗传差异性和亲缘关系,利用ISSR分子标记技术对这2种菌的35个菌株进行了遗传多样性分析。结果表明,用筛选的15条引物对35个供试菌株共扩增出231条条带,其中多态性条带220条,平均多态性比率为95.2%,平均每条引物产生条带为14.7条。聚类结果和遗传相似系数分析显示,35个菌株间的遗传相似系数范围为0.506~0.935,平均为0.661。在遗传相似系数为0.593时,供试的35株镰刀菌可明显的分成2个ISSR类群（IG）,其中IGⅠ包括1～23号菌株,全部为F. oxysporum;IGⅡ包括24～35号菌株,全部为F. redolens。ISSR类群划分与菌种分类之间存在一定相关性 (IGⅠ中23株F. oxysporum间的平均相似系数为0.720,IGⅡ中12株F. redolens间的平均相似系数为0.717),但与菌株的地理来源不存在相关性。而同一类群中,菌株之间的遗传相似性与菌株的地理来源存在一定的相关性。     

The use of species-specific DNA probes for the identification of Mycosphaerella fijiensis and M. musicola, the causal agents of Sigatoka disease of banana

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based technique of random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used to differentiate DNA from species of the genus Mycosphaerella. DNA from two pathogens which cause Sigatoka leafspot diseases of banana, M. fijiensis and M. musicola , and two other Mycosphaerella species which are commonly found on banana, M. musae and M. minima , gave distinct RAPD banding patterns with all PCR primers tested. PCR, using primer RC07, amplified a 1250bp RAPD fragment from all isolates of M. fijiensis obtained from 11 geographical origins. This fragment was absent from the other species of Mycosphaerella. In Southern blots of genomic DNA, this band hybridized exclusively to DNA from M. fijiensis , and the pattern of hybridization suggested that it was binding to repeated DNA. A RAPD band amplified with primer PM06 obtained from M. musicola was also found to be species-specific. Southern analysis suggested that the fragment hybridized to a single-copy sequence in the M. musicola genome. Total genomic DNA from M. musicola was found to be a species-specific hybridization probe. Dot-blots confirmed the specificity of these probes, and could be used to identify isolates of Mycosphaerella which cause Sigatoka disease of banana in south-east Asia.     

小麦赤霉病流行区镰刀菌致病种及毒素化学型分析

 为从分子水平上明确小麦赤霉病流行区镰刀菌致病种及其B 型毒素化学型的分布特点,本研究对2008 年度采自四川、重庆、湖北、安徽、江苏、河南6 省33 县市的赤霉病穗上分离获得的433 个镰刀菌单孢菌株,用鉴定种和鉴定B 型毒素化学型的特异性引物进行了鉴定分析。致病种检测结果表明,四川病穗检测到Fusarium asiaticum、F. graminearum、F.avenaceum 和F. meridionale 4 个镰刀菌种,重庆、湖北、安徽和江苏病穗检测到F. asiaticum 和F. graminearum 2 个种,河南病穗仅检测到F. graminearum 1 个种。毒素化学型检测结果表明,Nivalenol(NIV)是四川和重庆镰刀菌主要毒素化学型,Deoxynivalenol(DON)是湖北、河南、安徽和江苏镰刀菌主要毒素化学型;将DON 化学型进一步划分为3-AcDON 和15-AcDON 显示,四川、湖北、江苏镰刀菌毒素以3-AcDON 为主,安徽镰刀菌毒素为3-AcDON 和15-AcDON 两者参半,河南镰刀菌全部产生15-AcDON。结果揭示,F. asiaticum 是四川、重庆、湖北和江苏等赤霉病流行麦区的优势致病种;镰刀菌产生的DON 和NIV 毒素化学型存在明显的地域分布,长江上游的麦区以NIV 为优势化学型,长江中下游麦区以DON 为优势化学型;镰刀菌致病种与DON 毒素的化学型间存在一定关系。     

Development and use of a PCR assay to detect Rhizoctonia cerealis, the cause of sharp eyespot in wheat

Random amplified polymorphic DNA assays were carried out on a range of isolates of Rhizoctonia cerealis to identify markers common to all isolates. Two fragments were isolated, cloned and used to probe Southern blots of DNA from R. cerealis and isolates from a range of anastomosis groups of Rhizoctonia solani. The two fragments hybridized specifically to DNA of R. cerealis and not to DNA of any of the isolates of R. solani. Both fragments were partially sequenced and two pairs of primers were generated for use in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Amplification of a fragment of the anticipated size occurred following PCR of all isolates of R. cerealis and not from any of a range of fungal species associated with disease of the stem base of cereals. The primer pairs for R. cerealis were also used, along with those for Microdochium nivale and W and R-type of Pseudocercosporell herpotrichoides , to deled these pathogens in extracts from field-grown wheat plants exhibiting symptoms of sharp eyespot, eyespot, foot rot or a combination of the diseases. No relationship was found between visual disease assessment of sharp eyespot at growth stage 37 and the results of PCR However, the results of PCR and visual disease assessment at growth stage 75 were similar, indicating that visual disease assessment may not be reliable until later growth stages. This system offers the potential to detect the presence of R. cerealis in cereals and avoid problems commonly associated with conventional diagnosis of this disease and isolation of the pathogen.     

香蕉枯萎病菌RAPD分析及4号生理小种的快速检测

 用随机扩增多态性DNA(RAPD)技术,对采自广东、广西的香蕉和粉蕉上的30个香蕉枯萎病菌(Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.cubense)菌株和3个其它尖孢镰刀菌专化型的菌株进行比较及聚类分析。在遗传相似系数0.67时,可将供试菌株划分为3个RAPD群(RGs),其中香蕉枯萎病菌4号生理小种(FOC4)共15个菌株属于RGⅠ,1号生理小种(FOC1)共15个菌株属于RGⅡ,供试的其它尖孢镰刀菌专化型的3个菌株则属于RGⅢ。这说明香蕉枯萎病菌和供试3个其它专化型菌株与致病性间存在明显的相关性。1号生理小种内菌株间的遗传分化大于4号生理小种内菌株间的遗传分化。从90条RAPD随机引物中筛选出2条引物可产生4号生理小种的RAPD标记2个。将这2个RAPD标记电泳切胶回收、克隆及测序,并根据这2个特异片段序列设计SCAR上下游特异引物,通过对30个菌株的PCR扩增检验,其中一个RAPD标记成功地转化为SCAR标记,初步建立了以此为基础的4号生理小种快速检测技术,其检测灵敏度为2 ng新鲜菌丝。对采自不同地区的显症样品、吸芽、室内接种未显症的香蕉苗以及发病的香蕉植株不同部位进行检测,能够准确灵敏地鉴定出4号生理小种,从而为香蕉枯萎病菌的快速检测及防治奠定了基础。同时,快速检测结果发现,田间发病植株果柄的各部位及果实内并没有枯萎病菌的存在。     

Isozyme and RAPD-PCR analyses of Fusarium avenaceum strains from Finland

Differences in isozyme and RAPD-PCR polymorphisms amongst 33 isolates of Fusarium avenaceum were compared using native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and agarose gel electrophoresis. The isolates were collected from different regions of Finland. Amongst eight enzymes analysed clear isozyme polymorphism was detected in five enzymes which could be grouped into 20 different electrophoretic phenotypes and three main groups at the similarity level of 70% in unweighted pair group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA) analysis. RAPD-PCR analysis differentiated all F. avenaceum strains from each other. The phenotypes resulting from RAPD-PCR analysis were grouped into five main groups by UPGMA analysis at the similarity level of 55%. These main groups had several similarities with the main groups from isozyme analysis. RAPD-PCR patterns of 16 isolates of Fusarium graminearum F. culmorum F. equiseti F. oxysporum and F. redolens were also studied and strains from each Fusarium species formed individual groups in UPGMA and principal components analyses. Thus, the extent of isozyme and RAPD-PCR polymorphisms found in Fusarium strains potentially provides a method for identifying the fungi both at strain and species level.     

黑龙江省马铃薯干腐病菌种类鉴定及致病性

本研究将采自黑龙江省不同地区的马铃薯干腐病病样进行分离和病原菌纯化,得到27个镰刀菌菌株,通过致病性鉴定,其中的18个菌株具有致病性。运用培养性状和形态特征综合分析的方法,对上述18个菌株进行鉴定,结果显示为6种镰刀菌,分别为拟枝孢镰孢(Fusarium sporotrioides)、茄镰孢(F.solani)、接骨木镰孢(F.sam-bucinum)、拟丝孢镰孢(F.trichothecioides)、燕麦镰孢(F.avenaceum)和茄病镰孢蓝色变种(F.solanivar.coerule-um)。同时对上述6种镰刀菌进行致病性测定,结果表明不同种类镰刀菌致病性不同,以接骨木镰孢、燕麦镰孢和拟丝孢镰孢致病力最强,拟枝孢镰孢致病力最弱。     

Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of variation in Fusarium species causing ear blight of cereals

Genetic variation in Fusarium species on wheat was investigated using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Single-spore lines (76) of Fusarium were recovered from 24 ears of wheat in a field plot exhibiting severe symptoms of Fusarium ear blight and identified using classical taxonomic criteria. Four Fusarium species were present, of which F. avenaceum and F. culmorum were predominant with F. lateritium and F. poae present in two ears and one ear, respectively. RFLP analysis using rDNA (pTA71) or total genomic DNA from an F. culmorum isolate clearly distinguished the four species. Genetic fingerprints of the isolates generated using DNA of bacteriophage M13 (which contains a mini-satellite repeat sequence) revealed considerable variation within three of the four species (except F. poae). Generally, only a single clone was recovered from each ear and in all but one case only a single species was obtained from each spikelet. However, in several instances it appeared that more than one clone of a species was present within a single spikelet.