Use of nitrate non-utilising (Nit) mutants to determine vegetative compatibility in Botryotinia fuckeliana (Botrytis cinerea)

Nitrate non-utilising (Nit) mutants of six field strains and three single-ascospore strains of Botryotinia fuckeliana were selected by plating mycelial plugs onto a nitrate-containing minimal medium amended with chlorate. Mutants were characterised by growth responses on minimal medium amended with various sole nitrogen sources. For each parental strain two mutants were produced: nit1, defective in nitrate reductase apoenzyme; and NitM, defective in the molybdenum cofactor pathway. Complementation on nitrate minimal medium was observed between nit1 and NitM mutants from the same parent in all instances. However, complementation was not observed between any such combinations when the mutants were derived from different parents. It is concluded that a vegetative incompatibility system operates in B. fuckeliana resulting in multiple vegetative compatibility groups. One of the single-ascospore strains was derived from a cross between two of the field strains, indicating that new compatibility groups can be generated during sexual reproduction. Mycelial interaction zones were formed between all parental strains when they were paired on NaCl-amended medium, indicating congruence between mycelial incompatibility and vegetative incompatibility.     

Vegetative Compatibility amongVerticillium dahliae Isolates from Watermelon in Greece

Vegetative compatibility among 17 isolates ofVerticillium dahliae obtained from watermelon, originating from eight regions of Greece, was investigated using complementation tests between nitrate-nonutilizing(nit) mutants. Among 529 chlorate-resistant sectors obtained, only 107 werenit mutants. These mutants were paired with tester strains (from Greece and other countries) of previously described vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs), and also were paired in many combinations among themselves. All isolates were self-compatible. Sixteen isolates were found to belong to VCG2. Only isolate V75 could not be assigned to a VCG, because the threenit mutants obtained from it showed negative reactions with the tester strains of four VCGs and with complementary mutants from other isolates. Based on this sample, we conclude that the population ofV. dahliae from watermelon in Greece is homogeneous in respect to VCG.     

Improved Medium for Selecting Nitrate-Nonutilizing (nit) Mutants of Verticillium dahliae

ABSTRACT Nitrate-nonutilizing (nit) mutants are commonly used to determine vegetative compatibility between isolates of Verticillium dahliae by complementation (heterokaryon) testing. These mutants emerge spontaneously as chlorate-resistant sectors growing out of partially restricted, wild-type colonies on chlorate-amended media. The commonly used chlorate media are based on minimal medium (MMC) or cornmeal agar (CMC), amended with potassium chlorate. nit mutants recovered on these media constituted 10 to 36%(on MMC) and 25 to 45%(on CMC) of the apparently resistant sectors. An improved water agar chlorate medium (WAC) is described that is more effective for selecting chlorate-resistant nit mutants. WAC medium consists of agar (2%), glucose (0.02%), and potassium chlorate (2 to 5%). On WAC, growth of most V. dahliae isolates was strongly inhibited, and 66 to 100%(average >80%) of the chlorate-resistant sectors formed were nit mutants. Most mutants were characterized as nit1, and about 6% as NitM.     

Reassessment of vegetative compatibility of Sclerotinia homoeocarpa using nitrate-nonutilizing mutants

Nitrate-nonutilizing (nit) mutants were recovered for the first time from 21 isolates of Sclerotinia homoeocarpa collected in the United States. Mutants were selected from shredded mycelium of each isolate when cultured on water agar medium amended with 4% (wt/vol) potassium chlorate. The mutants could be classified into three phenotypes: nit1, nit3, and NitM, based on their growth on minimal medium (Czapek solution agar) supplemented with NaNO(2) or hypoxanthine. Complementary heterokaryons were observed in pairings between different phenotypes of nit mutants derived from compatible isolates, but not in self-fusions or pairings between incompatible isolates. The vigor of prototrophic growth varied with isolates and mutant phenotypes. Strong and continuous heterokaryons, as well as weak and spontaneous ones, formed depending on pairings of nit mutants. Stable heterokaryons between compatible isolates, but apoptotic reactions between incompatible isolates, were observed immediately after hyphal fusion under the epifluorescence microscope. The 21 isolates used in this study, which were previously assigned into 11 different vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) based on the formation of a barrage zone at the contact site of paired isolates on complete medium (potato dextrose agar), were regrouped into five VCGs based on heterokaryon formation between nit mutants on minimal medium.     

灰葡萄孢菌nit突变体的诱导及其在营养体亲和性测定中的应用初探

 从山西运城、临汾、长治、晋中、大同等地保护地黄瓜灰霉病病株上采集、分离的分属于3个不同菌丝融合群的8个灰葡萄孢菌单孢菌株,经氯酸盐诱导处理,共获得了抗氯酸盐的硝酸盐利用缺陷突变体(nit突变体)59株,其中nit1型38株,nit3型10株,nitM型11株。所有nit突变株分别在PDA斜面转管培养3次(21 d)后,除6株恢复成野生菌株外,其余多数nit突变菌株表现稳定。来源于同一野生菌株的不同类型nit突变体间或同一菌丝融合群不同野生菌株的nit突变体间可产生互补反应而形成异核体,其中以nitM型突变株互补性最好,在利用nit突变体测定灰葡萄孢菌营养体亲和性时应作为标准菌株。来源于不同菌丝融合群的nit突变体间不能产生互补反应。     

Genotypic diversity in a South African population of the pitch canker fungus Fusarium subglutinans f.sp. pini

The genotypic diversity in a South African population of Fusarium subglutinans f.sp. pini ( F.s. pini ) was determined, based on the number of vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs). Isolates of F.s. pini from South Africa (69), California (five) and Florida (19) were included in the study. The nit1 (or nit3 ) and NitM mutants were selected as chlorate resistant sectors and paired on minimal medium. The South African isolates of F.s. pini were assigned to 23 different VCGs. No heterokaryons formed between isolates from South Africa, California and Florida. The high degree of genotypic diversity in the South African population of F.s. pini is probably due to some level of sexual reproduction in the population.     

Vegetative compatibility groups and parasexual segregation in Colletotrichum acutatum isolates infecting different hosts

Heterokaryosis is an important mechanism which provides genetic variability increase in filamentous fungi. In order to assess the diversity of vegetative compatibility reactions existing among Colletotrichum acutatum isolates derived from different hosts, complementary nit mutants of each isolate were obtained and paired in all possible combinations. Vegetative compatibility groups (VCG) were identified among the isolates according to their ability to form viable heterokaryons. Seven VCGs were identified among the isolates, one of which contained isolates from different hosts. VCGs 2 and 6 contained two and three members, respectively; VCG-3 contained four members, and four VCGs (1, 4, 5, and 7) contained a single one. This study shows, for the first time, the isolation and the parasexual segregation of a heterozygous diploid sector derived from the heterokaryon formed with nit mutants from VCG-6. Diploid, named DE-3, showed nit+ phenotype and growth rate similar to the parental wild isolate. When inoculated in the presence of the haploidizing agent benomyl, the diploid strain produced parasexual haploid segregants exhibiting the nit phenotypes of the crossed mutants. Since viable heterokaryons and diploid may be formed among vegetative compatible isolates of C. acutatum, this study suggests that the parasexual cycle may be an alternative source of genetic variability in C. acutatum isolates.     

瓜类尖孢镰刀菌的营养体亲和群研究

 应用营养亲和性方法研究了尖孢镰刀菌菌株抗氯酸盐突变体和nit突变体的诱发规律及分布特性,以及菌株营养体亲和群(VCG)的划分。研究表明,不同寄主(黄瓜、甜瓜和西瓜)分离的尖孢镰刀菌菌株形成的抗氯酸盐突变体数目差异不显著,平均为每个接种点产生0.89~0.98个;但寄主不同部位(根部、茎基部和茎中部)分离的菌株间差异显著,形成的数目分别为1.27、0.75及0.76个。菌株产生的nit1突变体比例(75.40%)显著高于nitM突变体比例(13.17%);nit1突变体数目会因菌株的寄主及菌株寄主部位的不同而有差异,寄主为黄瓜、甜瓜和西瓜的菌株产生的比例依次为67.73%、83.71%和77.50%,根部、茎基部及茎中部分离菌株产生的比例依次为81.82%、78.48%和68.64%,而在致病菌株与非致病菌株间无显著差异,分别为74.43%和79.63%;nitM突变体数目受菌株寄主影响较小,所占比例在11.17%~13.92%之间;而在寄主不同部位分离的菌株及致病菌株与非致病菌株间差异显著,分离自茎基部的菌株所占比例最高为15.97%,茎中部菌株所占比例最低为9.87%,致病菌株与非致病菌株所占比例分别为14.08%和9.26%。供试菌株分为7个VCGs,其特点为来源于不同寄主的尖孢镰刀菌菌株互不亲和,同一寄主的致病菌株与非致病菌株均不亲和,同一寄主不同部位分离的菌株可亲和。     

稻瘟病菌群体育性分析的主要影响因子研究

 将稻瘟病菌10个两性可育菌株,包括GUY11、KA3、KA9、KA7、6023、2539W、8773R-19、8773R-27、8113R-2和8113R-10相互交配,结果表明,10个菌株育性好,交配型明确;2539W已丧失雌性功能,不再是两性菌株。原先由6023/2539W测为可育的24个福建省田间稻瘟病菌菌株分别与另外8个两性菌株交配,结果得出不同两性菌株测得同一组稻瘟病菌菌株的育性差异很大,这可能是由于两性菌株的交配能力强弱差异以及两性菌株与待测菌株之间的亲和性不同引起的。分析认为,GUY11和KA3最适于测定稻瘟病菌群体的育性和交配型,并用其测定了227个来自福建省田间稻瘟病菌菌株的育性。结果表明,福建省稻瘟病菌群体可育菌株率为81.1%,其中81.0%为交配型MAT1-2,19.0%为MAT1-1。研究结果将有助于进一步认识稻瘟病菌的群体结构特点及其演化规律。     

Genetic characteristics of Fusarium verticillioides isolates from maize in Costa Rica

Thirty-nine isolates of Fusarium verticillioides from maize seeds from three regions of Costa Rica were classified on fertility, fumonisin production, vegetative compatibility and pathogenicity. The identity of the isolates was verified by sexual crosses with standard tester strains and by isozyme analysis. Twenty-three isolates (59%) were mating type A⁻ and 16 (41%) were A⁺; 29 (74%) were female fertile. The isolates produced high amounts of fumonisin B₁ when grown on sterilized maize grits, 32 isolates producing more than 1000 μg g⁻¹, as determined by TLC, and 7 less than 1000 μg g⁻¹. Vegetative compatibility tests by pairing nit mutants identified 34 vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs), of which 29 had one member and 5 had two members. Isolates belonging to the same VCG were obtained from the same seed sample. Two pathogenicity tests with different inoculation methods were performed: on toothpick inoculation of 7-week-old maize stalks, 71% of the isolates were pathogenic according to the length of the necrosis formed in the stalk, and on sand inoculation of maize seedlings all the isolates were pathogenic, according to shoot length and dry weight production. Differences in aggressiveness between some of the isolates were recorded. It is concluded that natural populations of F. verticillioides in Costa Rica consist of genetically diverse, highly fertile and pathogenic isolates that represent a potential risk for disease development and fumonisin accumulation in maize crops.     

尖孢镰孢(Fusarium oxysporum)硝酸盐营养突变株及其营养体亲和性

从荸荠、棉花、西瓜、黄瓜、胡瓜、大豆、花生等12种寄主作物上获得尖孢镰孢(F—usarium oxysporum)菌株20个,已知15个菌株分属于6个专化型。所有20个菌株在含有氯酸盐的培养基上产生抗氯酸盐的突变体,其突变体在以硝酸盐作为氮源的培养基上表现为无气生菌丝生长,即不能利用硝酸盐的突变株(nit),共获得nit突变株181个。同一专化型的nit突变株之间在以硝酸盐为氮源的培养基上配对时,在菌丝接触处可产生互补作用,即营养体亲和性,表现为旺盛气生菌丝生长。不同专化型的nit突变株之间则不能互补产生异核体而表现为非亲和性仍为突变型生长。每个菌株均获得能产生互补作用的nit突变株。根据营养体亲和性反应,20个菌株归入13个营养体亲和群(VCG),并显示出VCGs与菌株专化型之间的相关性。nit突变株在一般条件下是稳定的,而且某些nit株的亲和能力特强。     

Sexual Recombination in Gibberella zeae

ABSTRACT We developed a method for inducing sexual outcrosses in the homothallic Ascomycete fungus Gibberella zeae (anamorph: Fusarium graminearum). Strains were marked with different nitrate nonutilizing (nit) mutations, and vegetative compatibility groups served as additional markers in some crosses. Strains with complementary nit mutations were cocultured on carrot agar plates. Ascospores from individual perithecia were plated on a minimal medium (MM) containing nitrate as the sole nitrogen source. Crosses between different nit mutants segregated in expected ratios (3:1 nit(-):nit(+)) from heterozygous perithecia. Analysis of vegetative compatibility groups of progeny of two crosses indicated two and three vegetative incompatibility (vic) genes segregating, respectively. For rapid testing of sexual recombination between nit mutants, perithecia were inverted over MM to deposit actively discharged ascospores. Development of proto-trophic wild-type colonies was taken as evidence of sexual recombination. Strains of G. zeae group 2 from Japan, Nepal, and South Africa, and from Indiana, Kansas, and Ohio in the United States were sexually interfertile. Four group 1 strains were not interfertile among themselves or with seven group 2 strains. Attempts to cross G. zeae with representatives of F. acuminatum, F. avenaceum, F. culmorum, F. crookwellense, F. oxysporum, and three mating populations of G. fujikuroi were not successful.     

Characterization of Pyricularia grisea in the United States Using Independent Genetic and Molecular Markers

ABSTRACT A total of 540 isolates of Pyricularia grisea from rice in the United States were examined for vegetative compatibility, MGR586 DNA fingerprint diversity, and mating type based on hybridization with the mat1-1 and mat1-2 sexual mating type alleles. The collections contained both archived and contemporary field isolates representative of the known MGR586 lineages and races that occur throughout the United States. Complementary nitrate nonutilizing (nit) or sulfate nonutilizing (sul) mutants were used to assess vegetative compatibility in P. grisea. There was a complete correspondence between vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs), MGR586 lineage, and mating type among 527 contemporary isolates (collected between 1991 and 1997) from Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, and Texas; all isolates in MGR586 lineages A, B, C, and D belonged to VCGs US-01, US-02, US-03, and US-04, respectively. In addition, all isolates tested in VCGs US-01 and US-04 had the mat1-1 mating type allele whereas those in VCGs US-02 and US-03 had the mat1-2 allele. The strict association of independent markers during this sample period was consistent with a strictly asexual mode of reproduction. However, examination of archived isolates collected in the 1970s and 1980s and contemporary isolates revealed an incongruent relationship between the independent markers. MGR586 C and E isolates were vegetatively compatible which indicated that multiple robust MGR586 delineated lineages could be nested within certain VCGs. Although isolates in lineages C and E were vegetatively compatible, they were of opposite mating type. Several hypotheses, including recombination, could account for the incongruence between the various markers. Among the eight MGR586 lineages (A through H) that occur in the United States, all isolates in lineages A, D, E, G, and H had the mat1-1 allele, whereas isolates in lineages B, C, and F had the mat1-2 allele. Nit mutants can be recovered relatively easy from P. grisea and should allow large numbers of individuals within a population to be assessed for vegetative compatibility. VCGs may prove to be an effective multilocus marker in P. grisea. Thus, VCGs should be a useful means for characterizing genetic structure in populations of the rice blast fungus worldwide, provide a useful genetic framework to assist in interpreting molecular population data, and may provide insight into potential sexual or asexual recombination events.     

新月弯孢菌营养体亲和群鉴定方法探讨

 采用菌株直接配对、显微镜观察菌丝融合和硝酸盐缺陷型(nit)突变体互补测试法,对44个来自不同地区的玉米弯孢菌叶斑病叶中的新月弯孢菌(Curvularia lunata)菌株进行了营养体亲和性分析。在野生型菌株的两两配对中,C.lunata菌株接触产生4种反应类型,但无明显的抗衡反应产生。在菌丝融合显微观察中,光学显微镜下只见大多数菌丝反应为一菌丝向另一菌丝无限靠近,未见融合,但在电子显微镜下,发现两菌丝细胞已不再是独立的。这些结果表明,因两菌落间的抗衡反应和菌丝融合特征都不明显,故不宜采用直接配对和显微观察来划分C.lunata的营养体亲和群。在nit突变体互补测试中,菌株在KClO₃浓度1.5%~3.0%的KPS中诱导表明,2.0%~3.0% KClO₃适宜于大多数菌株。抗氯酸盐突变体在Czapek培养基中能鉴定出nit突变体,但在MM上却不能。全部3640抗氯酸盐突变体在Czapek中共鉴定出2 40个稳定的nit突变体,其中nit1占59.2%,nit3占39.2%,NitM占0.8%,nit D (3种氮源都不能利用)占0.8%。44个菌株中,24个(55%)获得了nit突变体,20个(45%)还没有,仅2个菌株(124和155)各获得了1个NitM突变体。各菌株突变体类型间只有NitM与nit1或nit3是异核亲和的,其余均不能产生亲和反应。菌株124和155都是营养体自身亲和菌株。用2个NitM作测试菌株,初步划分出2个VCGs,5个归入VCG1,另有5个归入VCG2,其它菌株因未获得NitM或nit突变体还不能鉴定。以上结果表明,硝酸盐缺陷型突变体互补测试法可用于鉴定C.lunata菌株的营养体亲和群。     

Vegetative compatibility and heterokaryon stability in Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. radicis-lycopersici from Italy

Fusarium crown and root rot, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. radicis-lycopersici ( Forl ), is one of the most destructive soilborne diseases of tomato in Italy. Chlorate-resistant, nitrate-nonutilizing ( nit ) mutants were used to determine vegetative compatibility among 191 isolates of Forl collected in five geographic regions (Calabria, Emilia-Romagna, Liguria, Sardinia, Sicily) in Italy. The isolates were assigned to five vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs): 65 isolates to VCG 0090; 99 to VCG 0091; 23 to VCG 0092; two to VCG 0093; and two to VCG 0096. The population structure of Forl in Italy is similar to that reported for Israel, and differs from that found in North Atlantic European countries, where VCG 0094 is predominant. The stability of prototrophic heterokaryons originating from hyphal anastomosis between compatible complementary nit mutants was assessed through conidial analysis and mycelial mass transfer. Most monoconidial cultures (84%) recovered from 117 prototrophic heterokaryons were nit mutants, indicating that heterokaryons generally do not proliferate well through conidiation; most of the 177 prototrophic heterokaryons examined were unstable, and only 9% sustained prototrophic growth through the tenth mycelial transfer upon subculturing. The prototrophic growth is proposed to be maintained through restoration of the heterokaryotic state by continual anastomosis between adjacent homokaryotic hyphae. Since heterokaryosis is a prerequisite for parasexual recombination, we speculate that this mechanism is unlikely to play a major role in generating the VCG diversity found among Forl or other strains of F. oxysporum.     

Vegetative compatibility of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. dianthi from carnation in Israel

Auxotrophic mutants were used to determine vegetative relatedness among isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. dianthi (F.o.d.) , the vascular wilt pathogen of carnation. At the first stage, different nitrate-non-utilizing (nit) mutants were produced from 11 isolates of F.o.d. collected in Israel. Complementation (heterokaryon) tests showed that all the isolates belonged to a single vegetative compatibility group (VCG), and two mutants were chosen as its testers. Additional isolates of Fusarium from carnation, collected during 1986-88, were analysed for pathogenicity and vegetative compatibility with the testers. A total of 170 Fusarium isolates, obtained from 42 cultivars at 40 sites, were tested. All the nit mutants of all the 132 pathogenic isolates formed heterokaryons with the testers, indicating that they belonged to the same VCG. None of the 38 non-pathogenic isolates was vegetatively compatible with the testers. The nit mutants retained pathogenicity to carnation. The F.o.d. testers were not compatible with testers of five other formae speciales of F. oxysporum. Thus, F.o.d. appears to constitute a distinct genetic population within the F. oxysporum complex.     

Mating Relationships between Isolates of Phaeosphaeria nodorum, (anamorph Stagonospora nodorum) from Geographical Locations

Mating types of Phaeosphaeria nodorum isolates (from North Africa, North America, Australia, Europe and Near East) were determined in laboratory conditions. Although both mating types were found, MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 were not evenly distributed among the isolates. Sexual compatibility pairings with standard mating type testers revealed that 56 of 101 isolates could be assigned to MAT1-1 and 5 to MAT1-2. Although the teleomorph occurred in different countries, the two mating types were observed only among isolates collected from France, Great Britain, Germany and Morocco. For Morocco, where no P. nodorum pseudothecia have been reported, this is the first report of the existence of the two opposite mating types. The remaining 40 isolates could not be designated to a specific mating type. However, in 17 crosses, pseudothecial initials or sterile pseudothecia were observed on wheat straw after two months. The implications of the predominance of one mating type are discussed.     

Vegetative compatibility groups inVerticillium dahliae isolates from cotton in Turkey

Verticillium dahliae Kleb. with a complicated genetic diversity is a widely distributed major pathogen resulting in cotton wilt, which causes high economic losses in cotton lint production in the cotton belt of Turkey. A collection of 70 TurkishV. dahliae isolates (68 from wilted cotton plants in 28 districts and two from watermelon plants in two districts) were tested for vegetative compatibility by observing heterokaryon formation among complementary nitrate-nonutilizing (nit) mutants. The mutants were tested against international reference tester isolates and also were paired with one another. Thirty-nine isolates were assigned to vegetative compatibility group (VCG) 2B, 19 to VCG2A and three to VCG4B. One isolate was self-incompatible and eight others could not be assigned to any of the identified VCGs because theirnit mutants showed negative reactions with the tester isolates of four VCGs or theirnit mutants reverted back to the wild type. This is the first report of VCGs inV. dahliae from cotton in Turkey.     

福建省香蕉枯萎病菌硝酸盐营养突变体的营养体亲和性测定

 Fourteen strains of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense were induced to produce 146 nitrate-nonutilizing(nit) mutants on a chlorate-containing medium. Among them, there were 117 nit1 mutants(80.14%), 17 nit3 mutants(11.64%) and 12 nitM mutants(8.22%). These strains were divided into two vegetative compatibility groups(VCGs) by the vegetative compatibility tests. Twelve strains of F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense from Musa AAA belonged to VCG1, two trains from Musa ABB belonged to VCG2.     

Nit突变体技术在玉米弯孢菌研究中的应用

采集了河南省12个地区的玉米弯孢菌叶斑病标样,分离获得了34个菌株,其中3个是画眉草弯孢(Curvu-laria eragrostidis),其余均为新月弯孢(C.lunata)。利用含KClO₃的培养基对其中14个新月弯孢菌株和1个画眉草弯孢菌株(XZ3c)进行诱导,在MM培养基上鉴定均获得了Nit突变体。对获得的190个Nit突变体在MO₂和MH培养基上进行了生理表型的划分,并用于菌株内、菌株间的营养体亲和性研究,发现有不少配对组合中均出现了明显的亲和现象,表明Nit突变体技术可以用于玉米弯孢病菌营养体亲和性的研究。根据亲和性测定的结果将这15个菌株初步分为2个营养体亲和群。