ISSN 2375-0723
African Journal of Food Science Research ISSN 2375-0723 Vol. 9 (3), pp. 001-008, March, 2021. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Identity and genetic diversity of Pectobacterium spp., causal agents of potato soft rot in Zanjan, Iran
E. Tavasoli1, A. R. Marefat2 and N. Hassanzadeh1*
1Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Zanjan University, Zanjan, Iran.
Accepted 09 October, 2020
Abstract
Zanjan province is one of the areas of potato production in Iran with more than 6917 ha of cultivation. One of the most important factors to limit potato cultivation is soft rot bacteria belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae. During the years 2007 to 2008, different potato fields and the most important potato storages in Zanjan province were surveyed. Phenotypic identification of the strains was performed using recommended biochemical and physiological tests. Genetic diversity was determined by BOX-PCR and ERIC-PCR. Also all of the strains were identified with specific primers (Y1, Y2 and ECA1f, ECA2r). The strains belonged to "carotovora" group and identified as Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum and Pectobacterium atrosepticum. Although there were some atypical characteristics among the strains, but a very close relationship were found between DNA fingerprints and geographical origins of isolates.
Key words: Pectobacterium, Soft rot, Black-leg, BOX-PCR, ERIC-PCR