Molecular characterization of Ralstonia solanacearum strains causing bacterial wilt of solanaceous crops in Myanmar by rep-PCR analysis

Seventy strains of Ralstonia solanacearum from solanaceous crops in Myanmar were molecularly characterized by rep-PCR DNA fingerprinting. Cluster analysis based on the fingerprints (total 33 fingerprint types) revealed seven main clusters at 80% similarity level. Strains in phylotype I showed 29 fingerprint types and were divided into six clusters, most of which were closely correlated with host plant, geographic origin, sequevar and/or biovar. In contrast, phylotype II strains showed four DNA fingerprint types within a single cluster. These results suggest that genetic diversity of the strains is endemic and that phylotype I and II may be invasive strains.