Leaf scald is among the five more important diseases in sugarcane and its occurrence reduces yield and crop longevity. Resistant cultivars have been used to control the disease, but there is evidences of the occurrence of variants of the pathogen. In commercial fields located in São Paulo State, it has been observed that one sugarcane cultivar can show symptoms in some regions but not in anothers, suggesting the presence of variants within the pathogen population. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the presence of genetic diversity of the bacteria in commercial areas. A total of 50 isolates were obtained in pure culture from symptomatic plants collected in 'Piracicaba (SP)', 'Jaú (SP)', 'Ribeirão Preto (SP)' region and 'Iturama (MG)'. The isolates were confirmed as X. albilineans by using characteristics such as of colony type, serology and PCR with specific primers. Rep-PCR method was used to evaluate genetic diversity using DNA extracted from each isolate. Eight isolates, from different groups identified by rep-PCR, were used in assays for pathogenicity by inoculation on two sugarcane cultivars. The results confirmed that all isolates belonged to X. albilineans. By using rep-PCR it was demonstrated the occurrence of genetic diversity among the isolates, which were separated in three groups: group 1- isolates only from 'Piracicaba'; group 2- isolates sampled in 'Jaú,' the isolates collected in 'Ribeirão Preto' region and one isolate from Iturama; and group 3 - two isolates from 'Iturama'. Assays for pathogeneicity revealed differences in agressivity among isolates, but not related to regions where they were collected. This study revealed the occurrence of genetic and agressivity diversity within X. albilineans population suggesting a possible relationship between occurrence of bacteria variants and reaction of sugarcane cultivars grown in São Paulo State.
genetic diversity; pathogenicity; inoculation method
