Genetic diversity of Phytophthora infestans in Uganda

Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary isolates were recovered from late blight infected leaf samples collected from the districts of Kisoro, Kabale, Mbale and Mbarara in the Eastern and Western highlands of Uganda in 2001. Genetic analysis for mitochondrial haplotype, AFLPs and functional genomic examination for putative avirulence genes with subsequent sequencing clustered the Ugandan isolates together with the old, less virulent and predominantly A1 mating type clonal lineage US-1 with a genetic similarity value of 95%, thereby confirming the absence of genetic diversity within the Ugandan pathogen population.