Genetic variation in Danish populations of Erysiphe graminis f.sp. hordei: estimation of gene diversity and effective population size using RFLP data

Genetic variation of the barley powdery mildew fungus (Erysiphe graminis f.sp. hordei) was estimated in three Danish local populations. Genetic variation was estimated from the variation amongst clones of Egh, and was therefore an estimate of the maximum genetic variation in the local populations. The average gene diversity, (H) over cap was estimated as 0.84. The effective population size was estimated as: log(10) ((N) over cap(e)) = 0.64 - log(10)(mu), or 4.4 x 10(9), assuming a nucleotide mutation rate (mu) of 10(-9) per base per generation. There was no significant genetic differentiation between locations.