Chromosome polymorphism of the obligate biotrophic parasite Plasmodiophora brassicae

Electrophoretic karyotypes of different isolates of Plasmodiophora brassicae, the causative agent of clubroot of cabbage, using contour-clamped homogeneous electric field gel electrophoresis (CHEF) revealed chromosome polymorphism in this obligate parasite. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes have been localized on three chromosomes (I, IV and V) of P. brassicae of the 16 chromosomal bands, which can be distinguished for the single-spore isolate 'e(3)'. In comparison with this isolate three other single-spore isolates showed chromosome polymorphism by size of chromosomal bands and by hybridization pattern with rRNA gene fragments and other Plasmodiophora-specific DNA fragments.