A sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker, which was tightly linked with the A1 mating type locus in Phytophthora infestans, was developed. During the random amplified polymorphic DNA-based phylogenic studies of 33 isolates of P infestans collected from year 2002 to 2004, we found an A1 mating type-specific DNA fragment. This 573-bp DNA fragment was generated only in the genomic DNA of the A1 mating types, when OPC-5 primer was used. Based on the specific DNA sequence, we designed the primer sets for generating the A1 mating type-specific 569-bp DNA fragment. When 33 genomic DNAs of P. infestans were subjected to PCR amplification using different primer combinations, the A1 mating type-specific DNA was amplified, when LB-1F and LB-2R primers were used. The specific 569-bp DNA fragment was generated only from all 18 A1 strains, but not from 15 A2 mating type strains. These results corresponded to the mating type discriminating bioassay of 33 isolates of P. infestans. Therefore, the primer combination of LB-1F/LB2R was chosen as a SCAR marker. Overall, this study indicates that the SCAR marker could be developed into a useful tool for mating type determination of P. infestans.