Genetic diversity in Iranian populations of Togninia minima, one of the causal agents of leaf stripe disease on grapevines

Background: Togninia minima Is the main fungal species commonly associated with grapevine leaf stripe disease (GLSD), worldwide. This species Is best known by Its conldlal state In nature. No data are available on the Incidence of an active sexual cycle within the populations of this species In many grapevine producing countries Including Iran. Material and Methods: Genetic variability within and among the populations of T. minima was analyzed using M13 DNA markers. Fifty one T. minima Isolates originating from symptomatic grapevines In north and northwestern regions of Iran were subjected to polymorphism analysis using M13 markers, namely M13mp 18F, M13mp 18R and M13 mlnlsatelllte. Correlation between the genetic similarity, the geographic origin and mating Identity of the Isolates was evaluated. Results: M13 mlnlsatelllte produced the 38 polymorphic bands, while M13 mp 18F and M13 mp 18R yielded 27 and 26 bands, respectively. Significant genetic distances were found among the Isolates from the same location and different parts of the country. No correlation was found among the genetic similarity groups with geographic origin and mating Identity of the Isolates. Isolates with different mating Identity sometimes clustered In the same group. Conclusion: Our data support the presence of a sexual cycle and the ongoing recombination within populations of the species In the sampled areas.