DNA Barcoding of Bipolaris species by using Genetic Markers for Precise Species Identification

Bipolaris spp are the pathogens causing number of diseases in graminaceous crops. Taxonomic delimitation and precise species identification is difficult within this genus because it displays close resemblance with genus Drechslera and Exserohilum in morphological features. DNA barcoding is a navel technology of DNA sequences of standardized genetic markers for the simple and accurate identification of eukaryotic organisms. Here, we attempted to identify a barcode gene using 24 isolates belonging to five species of Bipolaris using five markers i.e. ITS, tef-1, (2-)tubulin, LSU and SSU. ITS region was found as the best marker for species discrimination with highest PCR success rate for amplification and sequencing, with more clearly defined Barcode gap and with high probability of correct identification (PCI).