Pathogenic Variation and Molecular Characterization of Macrophomina phaseolina, the Cause of Sesame Charcoal Rot

Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid is one of the most important soil-borne fungi that affects sesame and causes charcoal rot disease, with a great economic challenge to growers worldwide. Pathogenic molecular characterizations eleven M. isolates collected from different geographical regions in Egypt were carried out determine pathogenicity genetic diversity. Pathogenicity tests showed pathogenic variability among isolates. The identification was confirmed by specific primer analyzed for diversity using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. correlation between RAPD analysis their estimated. Cluster placed two distinct clusters exhibited clear pathogenicity. Analysis ISSR profiles revealed according regions, which close geographic origins tend group nearly. present study clearly demonstrated obtained highly variable. markers suitable reflect studied could help finger printing can be used future breeding programs sesame.