Identification of Alternaria species associated with leaf blights of fruit, vegetable and oil seed crops based on protein and multi-locus enzyme finger prints

Total proteins (both native and SDS dissociated) and four isoenzyme systems (superoxide dismutase, malate dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase and glucose phosphate isomarase) were analysed for 65 isolates belonging to 13 Alternaria species isolated from vegetable, fruits and oil yielding crops. The results allowed the discrimination of Alternaria solani, A. porri, A.dauci, A. macrospora, A. brassicicola, A. brassicae, A.sesami, A. ricini, A. carthami, A.helianthi, A.alternata, A. mali and A. burnsii. The results obtained with electrophoresis support the use of these macromolecular criteria as an aid in differentiating the species of Alternaria encountered on vegetable, fruits and oil yielding crops.