Molecular Diversity of X. Axonopodis Causing B.Blight of Pomegranate

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is an important fruit crop in India and in subtropical countries of the world. This is subjected to various disease problems and bacterial blight caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. Punicae. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) based molecular markers are useful tools for different detecting genetic variation within populations of phytopathogens. The analysis of RAPD polymorphism in single cell isolates of X. axonopodis pv. punicae from different parts of Nashik districts revealed the occurrence of high level of polymorphism (79.87%) indicating wide and diverse genetic base.Among 10 primers used to detect the genetic diversity of isolates, 6 primers exhibited good amplification. Remaining 4 primers showed very poor amplification.