大豆疫霉菌对大豆下胚轴侵染过程的细胞学研究

 接种后1.5~24h,用光镜和电镜研究了2个大豆品种与大豆疫霉菌Ps411的亲和性和非亲和性互作。观察结果表明,大豆疫霉菌对大豆下胚轴的侵染过程可分为侵入前、侵入、皮层组织中的扩展和进入维管束组织4个连续阶段。大豆下胚轴接种后在25℃保湿培养,1.5h后游动孢子即形成休止孢并萌发产生附着孢,3h后侵入表皮细胞,6h后进入皮层组织,24h后进入维管束组织。病原菌主要以侵染菌丝直接侵入表皮,表皮细胞间隙是主要侵入部位。皮层细胞是病原菌定殖和发展的主要场所,胞间菌丝侵入皮层细胞并形成吸器。在菌丝与寄主细胞接触部位的寄主细胞壁与质膜之间常有胞壁沉积物的形成。在抗病品种上病菌的侵染事件与感病品种基本一致,但不能形成正常的吸器,胞壁沉积物明显多于感病品种,菌丝在寄主组织内的扩展明显受到抑制。利用β-1,3-葡聚糖免疫金标记单克隆抗体进行的免疫细胞化学的研究表明,胞壁沉积物内含有大量的β-1,3-葡聚糖,在大豆疫霉菌菌丝壁中也存在β-1,3-葡聚糖。以上结果表明,病原菌的侵染可诱导抗病寄主细胞内β-1,3-葡聚糖迅速的合成与积累、并形成胞壁沉积物,以抵御病菌的侵染与扩展。     

Influence of Abscisic Acid and the Abscisic Acid Biosynthesis Inhibitor, Norflurazon, on Interactions Between Phytophthora sojae and Soybean (Glycine max)

A comparison was made of the effects of abscisic acid (ABA) and the ABA biosynthesis inhibitor, norflurazon on the interaction between soybean leaves and Phytophthora sojae. Inoculation of leaves of cv. Harosoy resulted in a compatible interaction typified by the presence of spreading, water soaked lesions with ill-defined margins while inoculation of cv. Haro 1272 resulted in an incompatible interaction with lesions restricted to the inoculation site. Activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) slowly increased in the compatible interaction but in the incompatible interaction there was a rapid rise in activity within 8h after inoculation. When Haro 1272 plants were treated with ABA the normally incompatible interaction with race 1 was changed to what resembled a compatible interaction and activity of PAL was reduced to control levels. There was no visible effect on the compatible combination. In contrast when plants of cv. Harosoy were treated with norflurazon the normally compatible interaction with race 1 was changed to that which resembled an incompatible interaction and PAL activity increased to high levels rapidly. There was no effect of norflurazon on the incompatible interaction of cv. Haro 1272 with race 1. Stomata on leaves of cv. Harosoy treated with norflurazon closed within 2h of inoculation resembling the response of stomata in normal incompatible interactions but not compatible interactions where stomata remained open. On leaves of cv. Harosoy treated with norflurazon at sites 3 and 20mm from the inoculation point stomata also closed. These results extend and confirm the idea that ABA is a molecule that may regulate the outcome of the interaction between soybeans and P. sojae.     

水稻与稻瘟病菌非亲和性互作中重要防御酶活性变化规律研究

 选以CO39为背景的水稻抗稻瘟病近等基因系,与稻瘟菌生理小种ZC₁₃(菌株97-151a)组成的3类典型非亲和性互作,以亲和性互作为对照,对各互作中过氧化物酶(POD)、苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)、几丁质酶及β-1,3-葡聚糖酶的活性变化规律进行了系统研究。完全非亲和性互作C101A51/97-151a、高度非亲和性互作C101L AC/97-151a及中度非亲和性互作C104 PKT/97-151a,POD比活性接种后即开始明显升高,48h前达到高峰,升高趋势一直持续到7d完全显症时,幅度基本与各互作非亲和程度呈正相关;亲和性互作CO39/97-151a接种后40 h POD比活性才开始升高,4~6 d达到高峰,峰值也较大。3类非亲和性互作PAL比活性在接种后0 h或16 h开始较明显升高,整个互作中形成3~4个较明显的峰;亲和性互作中PAL比活性一直明显下降。3类非亲和性互作外切几丁质酶比活性接种后即开始升高,基本一直保持升高趋势,在40 h前幅度较大,并形成1~3个较高的峰;亲和性互作外切几丁质酶比活性接种后即开始大幅度升高直至完全显症,48h后幅度远高于非亲和性互作。3类非亲和性互作β-1,3-葡聚糖酶比活性在24 h内开始较明显升高,在48h前形成2~3个较明显的峰;亲和性互作在接种后β-1,3-葡聚糖酶比活性即开始升高,在48h后显著高于非亲和性互作。讨论了POD、PAL、几丁质酶及β-1,3-葡聚糖酶参与水稻抗稻瘟病的可能性。     

The possibility of factors other than phytoalexin accumulation preventing fungal growth in the incompatible interactions of soybean with Phytophthora megasperma f. sp. glycinea

Soybean ( Glycine max ) cv. Harosoy 63 is resistant to race 1 and susceptible to race 9 of Phytophthora megasperma f. sp. glycinea (Pmg). In detached primary leaves inoculated with zoospores, growth of race 1 was completely suppressed 16 h after inoculation, while race 9 was unaffected. The amount of the phytoalexin glyceollin that accumulated, however, was not significantly different in either the incompatible or compatible interaction 16 h after inoculation. At the circumference of the inoculated area, a slight accumulation of phytoalexin was observed only in the incompatible interaction 20 h or more after inoculation. Tolerance of race 9 to the phytoalexin was significantly higher than that of race 1 when the phytoalexin was added to agar. Moreover, race 9 degraded glyceollin faster than race 1. On leaves inoculated at separate points with either race, the lesion associated with race 9 never colonized areas inoculated with race 1. These results suggest that factor(s) other than the accumulation of phytoalexin in soybean tissue might cause cessation of growth of Pmg.     

Histological Aspects of a Hypersensitive Response in Poplar to Melampsora larici-populina

ABSTRACT The course of the infection and development of the biotrophic fungus Melampsora larici-populina on leaf tissue from the hybrid poplar Populus deltoides x P. nigra 'Ogy' was monitored at the histological level. Leaf disks were inoculated with one of two rust physiological races (E1 and E2), resulting in interactions that were either incompatible (race E1) or compatible (race E2). In the compatible interaction, the fungus rapidly colonized the leaf without inducing any apparent host response. Symptoms appeared on the leaf several days after inoculation just prior to spore dissemination. The incompatible interaction was characterized by the early collapse and disorganization of cytoplasm of infected cells 17 h after inoculation and within 2 h after the appearance of the first haustoria. Resistance to M. larici-populina was mediated through a hypersensitive response, since it was extremely localized and involved only the few cells that were in the immediate vicinity of each infected cell.     

The herbicide flamprop-M-methyl has a new antimicrotubule mechanism of action

BACKGROUND: The herbicidal mode of action of flamprop‐M‐methyl [methyl N‐benzoyl‐N‐(3‐chloro‐4‐fluorophenyl)‐D ‐alaninate] was investigated. RESULTS: For initial characterization, a series of bioassays was used, which indicated a mode of action similar to that of mitotic disrupter herbicides. Cytochemical fluorescence studies, which included monoclonal antibodies against polymerized tubulin, were applied to elucidate effects on mitosis and microtubule assembly in maize roots. When seedlings were root treated with 50 µM of flamprop‐M‐methyl, cell division activity in meristematic root tip cells ceased within 4 h. The compound severely disturbed the orientation of spindle and phragmoblast microtubules, leading to defective spindle and phragmoblast structures. Cortical microtubules were only slightly affected. In late anaphase and early telophase cells, phragmoblast microtubules were disorganized in multiple arrays that hampered regular cell plate deposition in cytokinesis. Microtubules of the spindle apparatus were found attached to chromosomal kinetochores, but did not show regular organization associated with a zone of microtubule‐organizing centres at the opposite ends of the cell. On account of this loss of spindle organization, chromosomes remained in a condensed state of prometaphase or metaphase. Unlike known microtubule disrupter herbicides, flamprop‐M‐methyl and its biologically active metabolite flamprop did not inhibit soybean tubulin polymerization to microtubules in vitro at 50 µM . In contrast, soybean plants responded sensitively to the compounds. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that flamprop‐M‐methyl is a mitotic disrupter herbicide with a new antimicrotubule mechanism of action that affects orientation of spindle and phragmoblast microtubules, possibly by minus‐end microtubule disassembly. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

大豆和大豆疫霉菌共培养体系的构建

 本研究旨在建立一个适于分析大豆遭受大豆疫霉菌侵染后基因表达研究的互作体系。在比较了15个携带不同抗病基因的大豆基因型的组织培养情况和7个大豆疫霉菌分离物及其游动孢子单孢系的毒力变化的基础上,构建了大豆悬浮细胞和大豆疫霉菌游动孢子的共培养体系,进而分析了共培养过程中大豆细胞的活力和防御基因表达情况。结果表明,不同亲和力菌株的游动孢子引起的大豆细胞活力变化十分相似;非亲和菌株的游动孢子可诱导寄主防御基因的表达发生变化。此系统为深入开展大豆抗性机制研究提供了良好的平台。     

Structural Modifications and Programmed Cell Death of Chili Pepper Fruit Related to Resistance Responses to Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Infection

ABSTRACT Postharvest (detached) and in planta (attached) fruits of pepper plants, Capsicum annuum cv. Jejujaerae (susceptible) and Capsicum baccatum cv. PBC80 (resistant), inoculated with the anthracnose pathogen Colletotrichum gloeosporioides were examined using light, confocal laser scanning, and electron microscopy to compare the cytological differences between the compatible and incompatible interactions. In nonwound inoculation of postharvest pepper fruit, resistant pepper tissues showed a significant increase in the thickness of the cuticle layer compared with that of the susceptible and noninoculated fruit. Cytological features of programmed cell death (PCD) were observed in the resistant pepper fruit with postharvest inoculation, and these were characterized by positive responses to terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling. The oligonucleosomal fragments of DNA were confirmed electrophoretically as DNA laddering. The PCD-positive responses occurred around the inoculation sites early in in planta wound inoculation in the resistant pepper. Nuclear modifications and structural changes of hypersensitivity were also observed in the resistant fruit, including separation of the plasma membrane from the cell wall, dilation of the endoplasmic reticulum, accumulation of electron-dense inclusions in vacuoles, and cytoplasmic vacuolization accompanying fragmentation of the cytoplasm. These structural changes may also implicate PCD-like host responses. In addition, in planta wound inoculation resulted in cell enlargement and cell division during the later stages of infection to form a periderm-like boundary layer around the inoculation site.     

小麦-条锈菌互作过程中活性氧及保护酶系的变化研究

 对条锈菌与小麦不同互作体系中组织学特征、活性氧产生及其相关酶系的变化进行了研究。组织学观察表明:非亲和组合相对于亲和组合存在明显差异,表现为菌丝生长受抑,吸器母细胞和吸器形成减少,寄主细胞在接种后18h左右出现过敏性坏死。生化测定结果表明:在非亲和组合中,O₂^-的产生速率和H₂O₂的含量均高于亲和组合,且O₂^-产生速率在接种后12h达到一个峰值,H₂O₂的含量在接种后20和72h出现2个高峰。而在亲和组合中,O₂^-产生速率低于对照或与对照相似,H₂O₂的含量虽然高于对照,但却普遍低于非亲和组合;SOD在亲和组合中的活性总体上要高于非亲和组合;接种24h后,CAT在2种组合中的活性均高于对照,在接种后36和48h时,亲和组合中的CAT活性高于非亲和组合,而在接种60h后又开始低于非亲和组合;POD活性在接种24h后均明显升高,但亲和组合中POD活性增幅大;MDA在非亲和组合中于接种后72h含量明显上升。结果表明,亲和与非亲和组合中条锈菌扩展、活性氧的产生及相关酶活变化都存在明显差异,这些差异与小麦抗锈性的表达可能有密切联系。     

Using metabolic profiling to assess plant-pathogen interactions: an example using rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa)</Emphasis> and the blast pathogen <Emphasis Type="Italic">Magnaporthe grisea</Emphasis>

A metabolomics based approach has been used to study the infection of the Hwacheong rice cultivar (Oryza sativa L. cv. Hwacheong) with compatible (KJ201) and incompatible (KJ401) strains of the rice blast fungal pathogen Magnaporthe grisea. The metabolic response of the rice plants to each strain was assessed 0, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h post inoculation. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and Gas and Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass spectrometry (GC/LC-MS/MS) were used to study both aqueous and organic phase metabolites, collectively resulting in the identification of 93 compounds. Clear metabolic profiles were observed at each time point but there were no significant differences in the metabolic response elicited by each pathogen strain until 24 h post inoculation. The largest change was found to be in alanine, which was ~30% (±9%) higher in the leaves from the compatible, compared to the resistant, plants. Together with several other metabolites (malate, glutamine, proline, cinnamate and an unknown sugar) alanine exhibited a good correlation between time of fungal penetration into the leaf and the divergence of metabolite profiles in each interaction. The results indicate both that a wide range of metabolites can be identified in rice leaves and that metabolomics has potential for the study of biochemical changes in plant-pathogen interactions.     

Association of Binucleate Rhizoctonia with Soybean and Mechanism of Biocontrol of Rhizoctonia solani

ABSTRACT The association of binucleate Rhizoctonia (BNR) AG-K with soybean and the interaction of BNR, R. solani AG-4, and soybean seedlings were investigated to elucidate the mechanism of biocontrol of R. solani by BNR. Sixty-hour-old seedlings were inoculated and incubated in a growth chamber at 24 degrees C; plants were examined with light microscopy and with scanning and transmission electron microscopy at various times following inoculation. BNR grew over hypocotyls, roots, and root hairs, but only colonized epidermal cells. Hyphae of BNR appeared to attach to the epidermis and, 5.5 h following inoculation, began penetrating cells by means of penetration pegs without forming distinct appressoria or infection cushions. There was evidence of cuticle degradation at the point of penetration. Infection hyphae moved to adjacent epidermal cells by direct penetration of epidermal radial walls. There were epidermal and cortical cell necrosis, beginning with the fragmentation of the tonoplast and followed by the disintegration of cytoplasm, organelles, and plasma membranes. Cell necrosis was also observed in adjacent cells where there was no evidence of BNR hyphae. Cell walls were not destroyed. After 144 h, there was noevidence of BNR hyphae in cortical cells. Attempted penetrations were observed, but papillae formed on the inside of cortical cell walls. Pre-inoculation of soybean seedlings with BNR 24 or 48 h before inoculation with R. solani (1 cm between inocula) affected the growth of R. solani on soybean tissue. There were fewer hyphae of R. solani, the hyphae branched sparingly, and infection cushions were rare when compared with hyphal growth on soybean inoculated only with R. solani. These effects were observed before the BNR hyphae began to intermingle with the hyphae of R. solani on the surface of the inoculated host. Preinoculation of soybean seedlings 24 h before inoculation with R. solani significantly (P = 0.05) reduced disease incidence and severity caused by R. solani AG-4. The lesions caused by R. solani always appeared distally, not proximally, to the BNR inoculum. The interactions of intermingling hyphae of BNR and R. solani were examined in vitro and on the surface of the host. There was no evidence of lysis, mycoparasitism, inhibition of growth, or any other form of antagonism between hyphae. The results of these studies strongly suggest that induced resistance is the mechanism of biocontrol of R. solani on soybean by BNR. The inhibition of hyphal growth of R. solani on the surface of soybean tissue preinoculated with BNR appears to be a novel characteristic of induced resistance.     

A light and scanning-electron microscopic study of infection of tomato plants by virulent and avirulent races of Cladosporium fulvum

Infection of tomato plants byCladosporium fulvum Cooke was studied using light and scanning-electron microscopy. Races 1.2.3 and 4 ofCladosporium fulvum were used, whereas tomato cultivars, carrying the Cf2 gene (susceptible to race 1.2.3 and immune to race 4) and the Cf4 gene (immune to race 1.2.3 and susceptible to race 4) served as differentials. No differences were observed in growth between compatible and incompatible combinations during germination, subsequent formation of runner hyphae and stomatal penetration. Runner hyphae did not show directional growth towards stomata. Penetration usually occurred on the third or fourth day after inoculation. In compatible combinations the fungus grew intercellularly, often in close contact with spongy mesophyll cells. Under optimal conditions it did not cause visible damage to plant cells during early stages of infection. Under suboptimal conditions in winter, the host cells often reacted with callose deposition, but growth of the fungus did not appear to be inhibited. Ten to twelve days after inoculation conidiophores emerged through the stomata and produced conidia. In incompatible combinations fungal growth was arrested one to two days after penetration and confined to stomata and surrounding cells. Very soon the host cells, in contact with the fungus, deposited extensive amounts of callose. Later these cells turned brown and collapsed. At the surface of the host cells, contacted by fungal hyphae, abundant extracellular material could be observed by scanning-electron microscopy. Removing the epidermis of leaves before inoculation delayed the resistant response. On stripped leaves the rate of fungal growth was equal for both interactions up to ten days after inoculation, but the incompatible combination lacked sporulation.     

条锈菌侵染早期小麦叶片RNA和rRNA的合成

 采用示踪方法研究了条锈菌侵染早期小麦叶片的RNA和rRNA合成。结果表21h期间,表现不亲和性反应的叶片总RNA合成有所增加,而亲和性反应寄主叶片则低rRNA合成未受侵染影响。在接种后39~45h期间,只有呈亲和性反应的寄主叶片RNA和大幅度增加。对rRNA各组分合成的测定表明条锈菌侵染所影响的只是大分子量rRNA,胞质和叶绿体rRNA的合成也存在差别。文中讨论了上述变化的病理学意义。     

Histopathology of compatibility and incompatibility between oilseed rape and Albugo Candida

Cotyledons of one resistant and three susceptible rape lines/cultivars were inoculated with zoospores of Albugo Candida race 7. Samples of whole cotyledons were examined by differential interference contrast microscopy. The time course of the infection process was followed histologically. Germination of zoospore cysts occurred 2-3 h after inoculation. Infection was initiated with germ-tubes penetrating through stomata. Haustorium formation was first observed in the palisade mesophyll cells adjacent to the substomatal chambers 8 h after inoculation.
Only after the establishment of the first haustorium did compatible and incompatible interactions begin to differentiate. In the resistant cultivar, most primary hyphae produced single haustoria. Necrosis of the invaded host cell was first observed 12 h after inoculation followed by cessation of fungal growth. The death of host cells was largely restricted to the penetration site; the adjacent non-penetrated cells remained apparently unaffected. In the susceptible hosts, necrosis of infected cells occurred only infrequently, and hyphal growth continued unabated, resulting in mycelial ramification into the mesophyll. Numerous haustoria were produced.
Histological studies showed that the earliest event distinguishing a compatible from an incompatible interaction occurred after formation of the first haustorium and that resistance was not manifested until the host mesophyll cell had come into contact with the first haustorium. The distinction between compatibility and incompatibility was substantiated by quantitative analysis of white rust development on both resistant and susceptible lines/cultivars.     

Altered Phenotypic Response to Peronospora parasitica in Brassica juncea Seedlings Following Prior Inoculation with an Avirulent or Virulent Isolate of Albugo candida

A study was made of the biological interactions between an isolate of Peronospora parasitica compatible with Brassica juncea and two isolates of Albugo candida either incompatible or compatible with the host species. Prior inoculation with the incompatible isolate of A. candida induced resistance to subsequently inoculated P. parasitica. The degree of resistance was proportional to the zoosporangia concentration of the incompatible isolate and induced resistance was more marked in the cotyledon receiving the inducing inoculum compared to the opposite cotyledon and subsequently emerging true leaves that had not been pre-inoculated. Induction of resistance was also observed if the incompatible isolate of A. candida and P. parasitica were co-inoculated simultaneously. However, the effect was greater the longer the interval between inoculations, up to a period of 4 days. When the incompatible isolate of A. candida was inoculated 4h after P. parasitica, there was no marked effect on resistance to the latter. In contrast, prior inoculation with the compatible isolate of A. candida increased susceptibility to P. parasitica inoculated subsequently. However, pre- or co-inoculation with P. parasitica suppressed the development of the compatible isolate of A. candida. A spectrum of responses was observed when one cotyledon was inoculated simultaneously with both the incompatible and compatible isolates of A. candida and followed subsequently with P. parasitica after different time intervals. In such combinations, a transition was observed in the host response to P. parasitica from induced resistance/reduced susceptibility, which increased up to 24h following a simultaneous inoculation with incompatible + compatible isolates of A. candida to an almost neutral reaction after 72h to induced susceptibility after 96h. This range of altered responses appeared to reflect the outcome of the differing kinetics and counter-effects of resistance and susceptibility induction.     

The Course of Colonization of Two Different Vitis Genotypes by Plasmopara viticola Indicates Compatible and Incompatible Host-Pathogen Interactions

ABSTRACT The course of colonization of leaf mesophyll by the causal agent of grapevine downy mildew, Plasmopara viticola, in a susceptible and a resistant grapevine genotype was examined in order to characterize the development of the pathogen in compatible and incompatible host-pathogen interactions. Within a few hours after inoculation, the pathogen was established in the susceptible Vitis vinifera cv. Müller-Thurgau and formed primary hyphae with a first haustorium. No further development occurred in the following 10 to 18 h. The next step, in which the hyphae grew and branched to colonize the intercellular space of the host tissue, was observed 1.5 days after inoculation. After 3 days, the intercostal fields were entirely filled with mycelium and sporulation was abundant under favorable environmental conditions. The first infection steps were essentially the same in the resistant V. rupestris. However, the invasive growth of P. viticola was delayed, and further development ceased before the intercostal fields were filled with mycelium.     

Histological and ultrastructural comparisons of compatible, incompatible and -β-amino- n -butyric acid-induced resistance responses of pepper stems to Phytophthora capsici

The compatible interaction of pepper stems with Phytophthora capsici showed more rapid and severe disease development than did the incompatible interaction, although pathogen penetration styles of host cells in compatible and incompatible interactions were similar to each other. Treatment with -β-amino- n -butyric acid (BABA) protected the pepper plants against P. capsici infection. Reduced hyphal growth and sporangial formation were found after P. capsici infection in BABA-induced resistant and incompatible reactions. One of the most noticeable ultrastructural features of the BABA-induced resistant reaction was the formation of electron-dense wall appositions. The thick and dense wall appositions that encased the haustoria restricted haustorial development, thus leading to limitation of further pathogen penetration into inner plant tissues. A main host response in the incompatible interaction was the occlusion of cortical cells with an amorphous material. Plugging of the intercellular spaces in the cortical cells with electron opaque material was frequently observed in the incompatible interaction, but not in the compatible interaction. Another common feature of the BABA-induced resistant and incompatible reactions was degeneration of mitochondrial structure within penetrating hyphal cytoplasm. The mitochondrial structure in the BABA-induced resistant or incompatible reactions had no distinct double membrane layer and well-shaped cristae.     

Effects of temperature on ascospore germination and penetration of oilseed rape (Brassica napus) leaves by A- or B-group Leptosphaeria maculans (phoma stem canker)

Ascospores of both A-group and B-group Leptosphaeria maculans germinated at temperatures from 5 to 20°C on leaves of oilseed rape. Germination of ascospores of both groups started 2 h after inoculation and percentage germination reached its maximum about 14 h after inoculation at all temperatures. Both the percentage of A-/B-group ascospores that had germinated after 24 h incubation and germ tube length increased with increasing temperature from 5 to 20°C. Germ tubes from B-group ascospores were longer than those from A-group ascospores at all temperatures, with the greatest difference at 20°C. Hyphae from ascospores of both groups penetrated the leaves predominantly through stomata, at temperatures from 5 to 20°C. A-group ascospores produced highly branched hyphae that grew tortuously, whereas B-group ascospores produced long, straight hyphae. The percentage of germinated ascospores that penetrated stomata increased with increasing temperature from 5 to 20°C and was greater for A-group than for B-group L. maculans after 40 h incubation.     

Mycelial compatibility groups in Sclerotium cepivorum

Isolates of Sclerotium cepivorum from the Holland–Bradford Marsh, Ontario, Canada ( n  = 146) and other locations ( n  =23) were evaluated for mycelial compatibility in agar culture and by transmitted light microscopy. In compatible interactions, hyphae of paired colonies anastomosed without cell deterioration or death at the point of fusion. In some incompatible interactions, hyphae of paired colonies were initially similar to those of compatible interactions but were later followed by deterioration or death of the fused cells. Incompatible interactions were associated with a red–brown colour that, in mass, produced a dark line at the junction of the two colonies. In other incompatible interactions, hyphae were observed to bypass or repel each other without fusing. Compatible and incompatible reactions were used to define nine mycelial compatibility groups (MCGs) among the isolates examined. Among isolates from Ontario, no incompatibility responses were observed among isolates from individual fields (e.g. no intrafield variability) but two MCGs were found among isolates from different fields (e.g. interfield variability). Among isolates from other regions, seven additional MCGs were detected that consisted of one to eight isolates. Two isolates were variable in reaction and were not assigned to any MCG. Three isolates from Switzerland were compatible with MCG-1 isolates from Ontario; and one isolate from Switzerland, two from England, two from New Zealand, and two from Australia were all intercompatible. The results establish that mycelial compatibility can be used to reflect genetic heterogeneity among isolates of S. cepivorum .