Genetic profiling of neck blast isolates of Pyricularia oryzae from basmati rice in Punjab, India

Neck blast, caused by Pyricularia oryzae, poses a significant threat to basmati rice production in Indian Punjab. Understanding the genetic diversity of P. oryzae populations is crucial for developing effective resistance strategies. In this study, twenty nine P. oryzae isolates collected from diverse agroecological zones were analyzed using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Genetic analysis revealed a high degree of polymorphism, with polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranging from 0.27 to 0.96. The 10 polymorphic SSR markers detected a total of 44 alleles, with the number of alleles per locus ranging from 2 to 7. Cluster analysis grouped the isolates into two major genetic clusters, indicating significant genetic differentiation. These findings provide valuable insights into the genetic variability of P. oryzae populations and can aid in designing durable resistance strategies against neck blast in basmati rice. .