RAPD-PCR CHARACTERIZATION OF VARIETIES OF THE COMMON BEAN (PHASEOLUS-VULGARIS L) USED TO IDENTIFY RACES OF ANTHRACNOSE FUNGUS (COLLETOTRICHUM-LINDEMUTHIANUM)

The Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was used to fingerprint and determine the genetic distances among the twelve genotypes of Phaseolus vulgaris L. used internationally to differentiate races of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. Leaf DNA was extracted from plants from each cultivar and used as a template for the amplification reactions. Twenty-four different oligonucleotide primer decamers were used, and 74 reproducible amplification products were obtained, 59 of them being polymorphic. Genetic divergence was determined based on the presence (1) or absence (0) of the DNA bands in the individuals analyzed. Cluster analysis was performed by the method of Tocher, based on the arithmetical complement of the Jaccard index and by the method of the nearest neighbour. Both gave the same results, grouping the cultivars in similar clusters. The bidimensional graphic dispersion of the individuals demonstrate that the largest genetic distance was between cultivars PI 207262 and AB 136, and cultivars Ferry Marrow and Dark Red Kidney, while the shortest distance was between Dark Red Kidney and Ferry Marrow.