Fusarium oxysporum f. melongenae is a major soil-borne pathogen of eggplant (Solanum melongena). ISSR and RAPD markers were used to characterize Fusarium oxysporum f. melongenae isolates collected from eggplant fields in southern Turkey. Those isolates were not pathogenic to tomato. Pathogens were identified by their morphology, and their identity was confirmed by PCR amplification using the specific primer PF02-3. The isolates were classified into groups on the basis of ISSR and RAPD fingerprints, which showed a level of genetic specificity and diversity not previously identified in Fusarium oxysporum f. melongenae, suggesting that genetic differences are related to the pathogen in the Mediterranean region. The primers selected to characterize Fusarium oxysporum f. melongenae may be used to determine genetic differences and pathogen virulence. This study is the first to characterize eggplant F. oxysporum species using ISSR and RAPD.

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The identification of heterotic groups may provide an important advantage for hybrid eggplant (Solanum melongena) breeding. In this study, we evaluated the combining ability and heterotic patterns of eggplant lines in order to develop improved eggplant cultivars resistant to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melongenae (FOM). A set of 62 inbred lines was evaluated with 32 morphological descriptors and their relationships were analyzed through a multivariate cluster analysis. A subset of 39 inbred lines was selected and, together with 15 sister lines, they were crossed with two testers to investigate their general combining ability (GCA) and to establish heterotic groups. Twenty selected inbred lines with high GCA were intercrossed using a half-diallel mating design. Eighty-two hybrids were obtained and evaluated for yield and yield components. We found no association between morphological distance and membership to specific heterotic groups. However, heterosis for yield was found in hybrids among parents from different heterotic groups or that were included in all heterotic groups. Among the hybrids evaluated, some were found to be highly productive and resistant to FOM, being candidates for the registration of new cultivars with dramatically improved characteristics.

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The aim of this study was to diagnos bacterial speck of tomato (Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato) pathogen using biochemical and molecular methods and to determine genetical diversity of Pst isolates by using ISSR and SRAP molecular markers. In the study, survey studies were carried out in West Mediterranean Region to collect bacterial pathogen of tomato (Pst). 10 Pst isolates were collected during survey studies. After isolation, the pathogen was diagnosed with biochemical and molecular diagnostic methods. Besides, genetic diversities of Pst isolates were determined using ISSR and SRAP molecular markers. As a result, bacterial speck of tomato was seen depending on the climatic conditions at the region and Pst was successfully detected by using classical and molecular methods. ISSR and SRAP markers were successively used for analyzing genetic diversity of Pst isolates and these primers could be efficiently used to separate isolates of disease agent.