Resistance to fungicides which inhibit ergosterol biosynthesis in laboratory strains of Botrytis cinerea and Ustilago maydis

The strains of Botrytis cinerea or Ustilago maydis selected on fenarimol, triarimol, or triadimefon were also resistant to the other inhibitors of sterol C-14 demethylation; the sterol composition of the strains was normal. Among the isolates of U. maydis resistant to dodemorph, fenpropidin, fenpropimorph and tridemorph, some were resistant to the 15-azasteroid A 25822B and did not contain ergosterol. The other strains remained sensitive to A 25822B and had a normal sterol composition. All the resistant isolates and the wild-type were inhibited to the same extent by nystatin and pimaricin.     

Laboratory resistance to fungicides which inhibit ergosterol biosynthesis in Penicillium italicum

Laboratory isolates ofPenicillium italicum with varying levels of resistance to fenarimol were obtained via mass selection of conidia on fenarimol-amended PDA. All fenarimol-resistant isolates showed cross-resistance to other fungicides which inhibit ergosterol biosynthesis (bitertanol, etaconazole, fenapanil, and imazalil), but not to fenpropimorph. In contrast, all isolates with a relatively high degree of resistance to fenarimol, exhibited increased sensitivity to fenpropimorph (negatively correlated cross-resistance). The varying degrees of resistance to ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitors (EBI's) suggest that different mutations for resistance are involved. Isolates with a high degree of resistance were selected from conidial populations of isolates with a low resistance level. This indicates that in sich strains different mutations for resistance are present simultaneously.Somein vitro growth parameters of resistant isolates slightly differed from those of the wild type. Virulence of most resistant isolates on oranges was visually normal and in competition experiments with mixed inocula of wild-type and resistant isolates, the latter could still be isolated after five successive infection cycles on fungicide-free oranges. Nevertheless, the proportion of resistant conidia in the successive inocula gradually decreased.Decay of oranges inoculated with EBI-resistant isolates could still be controlled by a curative dip treatment with imazalil at dosage rates recommended in practice (500 g ml^–1). However, with the highly resistant isolates, decay control was not complete at half this dosage, indicating only a marginal control at the full dosage rate.On the basis of the results described it is assumed that at a high selection pressure of EBI's in practice, gradual accumulation of different mutations for resistance, together with selection of normal fitness may eventually lead to loss of control ofPenicillium decay. Therefore, desease control strategies with a low selection pressure of EBI's are advisable.Samenvatting Laboratoriumisolaten vanPenicillium italicum met uiteenlopende resistentieniveau's tegen fenarimol werden verkregen door massaselectie van conidiën op fenarimolbevattende PDA. Alle fenarimol-resistente isolaten vertoonden kruisresistentie tegen andere fungiciden die de ergosterolbiosynthese remmen (bitertanol, etaconazool, fenapanil, imazalil), maar niet tegen fenpropimorf. Alle isolaten met een relatief hoge graad van fenarimolresistentie waren zelfs gevoeliger voor dit laatste fungicide (negatief gecorreleerde kruisresistentie). De uiteenlopende graden van resistentie tegen ergosterolbiosynthese remmers (EBI's) suggereren dat verschillende mutaties een rol kunnen spelen. Isolaten met een hoge resistentiegraad werden geselecteerd in conidiënpopulaties van isolaten met een lage resistentiegraad. Dit duidt erop dat in dergelijke stammen verschillende mutaties gelijktijdig aanwezig zijn.Er werden kleine verschillen in parameters voorin vitro groei tussen resistente en gevoelige isolaten geconstateerd. De virulentie van vrijwel alle stammen op sinaasappels was normaal; in competitie-experimenten met mengpopulaties van gevoelige en resistente isolaten konden laatstgenoemde isolaten nog na vijf oppenvolgende infectiecycli op fungicide-vrije sinaasappels worden geïsoleerd. Desalniettemin nam het percentage resistente conidiën in de opeenvolgende inocula geleidelijk af. Penicillium-rot op sinaasappel, geïnoculeerd met EBI-resistente isolaten, kon nog worden bestreden door een curatieve dompelbehandeling met imazalil bij een dosering die in de praktijk wordt aanbevolen (500 g ml^–1). Bij een halvering van deze dosering werd echter op sinaasappels, geïnoculeerd met de hoog-resistente isolaten nog rot waargenomen, hetgeen erop duidt dat de bestrijding bij de volle dosering slechts marginaal is.Op grond van de beschreven resultaten kan worden verondersteld dat in de praktijk onder hoge selectiedruk van EBI's een geleidelijke accumulatie van verschillende mutaties, gepaard gaande met selectie van een normale fitheid, kan plaatsvinden, hetgeen uiteindelijk zou kunnen leiden tot onvoldoende bestrijding vanPenicillium-rot. Bestrijdingsstrategieën met een lage selectiedruk van EBI's zijn daarom wenselijk.     

Variation in sensitivity to fungicides which inhibit ergosterol biosynthesis in wheat powdery mildew

Fungicides which inhibit ergosterol biosynthesis have been in use for control of wheat powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis f. sp.tritici) in the Netherlands since 1978. Mildew populations were tested for their variation in sensitivity to triadimefon from 1982 to 1984.In 1982 isolates from the province Limburg, with a triazole spray-regime history, were less sensitive to triadimefon than isolates from the provinces Gelderland and Noord-Brabant, where triazoles had not been used. In the following years isolates with reduced sensitivity were also detected in the latter provinces and other parts of the country. This spread correlates with the increased use of triazoles, both in frequency and space, from 1983 onwards. The reduced sensitivity can as a whole or in part be responsible for the decline in field performance of triazoles, observed during these years.Cross-sensitivity to the triazoles triadimefon and propiconazole was established, but not to triazoles and the morpholine fungicide fenpropimorph. Effectiveness of the latter compound was similar to all isolates from Limburg tested in 1984. Field performance of fenpropimorph, introduced in 1983, appeared to be normal. It is recommended to counteract further development of resistance by sequential use of fenpropimorph early in the season (May) and triazoles at the end (June–July).Samenvatting Fungiciden die de ergosterolbiosynthese remmen worden in Nederland sinds 1978 gebruikt bij de bestrijding van tarwemeeldauw (Erysiphe graminis f. sp.tritici) Meeldauwpopulaties werden getoetst op hun variatie in gevoeligheid voor triadimefon van 1982 tot 1984.In 1982 bleken isolaten afkomstig uit de provincie Limburg, waar voordien triazolen werden toegepast, minder gevoelig te zijn voor triadimefon dan isolaten uit de provincies Gelderland en Noord-Brabant, waar nog geen triazolen werden gebruikt. In de daaropvolgende jaren werden isolaten met een verminderde gevoeligheid ook in laatstgenoemde provincies en in andere delen van het land gevonden. Deze uitbreiding is gecorreleerd met een toename in het gebruik van triazolen vanaf 1983 in areaal en frequentie. De afname in gevoeligheid kan geheel of gedeeltelijk verantwoordelijk zijn voor de verminderde meeldauwwerking van triazolen die gedurende deze jaren werd waargenomen.Kruisgevoeligheid werd vastgesteld voor de triazolen triadimefon en propiconazool, maar niet voor triazolen en het morfoline-derivaat fenpropimorf. De werking van dit middel was tegen alle isolaten uit Limburg die in 1984 werden getoetst, gelijk. De meeldauwwerking van fenpropimorf, dat in 1983 werd geïntroduceerd, was normaal. Aanbevolen wordt om verdere resistentie-ontwikkeling tegen te gaan door afwisselend gebruik van fenpropimorf vroeg in het groeiseizoen (mei) en een triazool aan het eind (juni-juli).     

The likelihood of development of resistance to systemic fungicides which inhibit ergosterol biosynthesis

Samenvatting Op grond van literatuurgegevens en nog niet gepubliceerde eigen experimentele resultaten wordt de veronderstelling geuit, dat resistentie-ontwikkeling tegen ergosterolbiosyntheseremmers in schimmels onder praktijkomstandigheden onwaarschijnlijk is.     

Fitness of isolates of Sphaerotheca fuliginea resistant or sensitive to fungicides which inhibit ergosterol biosynthesis

Isolates ofSphaerotheca fuliginea resistant to fungicides which inhibit ergosterol biosynthesis (EBIs: bitertanol, fenarimol, imazalil) had been collected from glasshouses in the Netherlands. Fitness of these isolates was compared to that of isolates with a wild-type sensitivity to EBIs. Fitness parameters studied were germination of conidia, growth of germ tubes and mycelium, penetration, sporulation and competitive ability.In an experiment in which 10 EBI-resistant isolates were compared to 7 wild-type isolates, one or more values of fitness parameters for EBI-resistant isolates were slightly lower than those for the wild-type isolates. However, within the group of resistant isolates no relation existed between the degree of resistance to EBIs and the degree of fitness. In an experiment with fewer isolates but with more replicates, differences in fitness between EBI-resistant and wild-type isolates were not detected over a three-month period.In competition experiments in which no crowding was present, resistant isolates competed well with the wild-type isolate.It is concluded that the hypothesis that resistance to EBIs is unlikely to develop under practical conditions because of decreased fitness of EBI-resistant strains, does not seem to hold forS. fuliginea.Samenvatting Uit kassen in Nederland waren isolaten vanSphaerotheca fuliginea verzameld, die resistent waren tegen fungiciden die de ergosterol-biosynthese remmen (EBR's: bitertanol, fenarimol, imazalil). De fitness van deze isolaten werd vergeleken met die van isolaten met een wild-type gevoeligheid voor EBR's. De volgende fitness-parameters werden bestudeerd: sporekieming, groei van kiembuizen en mycelium, penetratie, sporulatie en competitievermogen.In een proef, waarin 10 EBR-resistente isolaten werden vergeleken met 7 wild-type isolaten, waren één of meer fitness-parameters iets lager dan die van de wild-type isolaten. Binnen de groep van de resistente isolaten bestond geen relatie tussen de mate van resistentie tegen EBR's en de waarden van de fitness-parameters. In een proef met iets minder isolaten maar met meer herhalingen in de tijd, werden geen verschillen in fitness waargenomen tussen de EBR-resistente en wild-type isolaten. In competitieproeven waarin een epidemie zich kon ontwikkelen, concurreerden de resistente isolaten goed met het wild-type isolaat.Er wordt geconcludeerd dat de hypothese dat resistentie tegen EBR's in de praktijk waarschijnlijk niet zou optreden vanwege een verminderde fitness van de EBR-resistente isolaten, niet van toepassing is opS. fuliginea.     

A non-Mendelian inheritance of resistance to strobilurin fungicides in Ustilago maydis

Mutants of Ustilago maydis (DC) Corda with high resistance to azoxystrobin (RF 164 to 4714, based on EC50 values), an inhibitor of mitochondrial electron transport at the cytochrome bc1 complex, were isolated in a mutation frequency of 2.3 x 10(-7) after nitrosoguanidine mutagenesis and selection on media containing 1 microgram ml-1 azoxystrobin in addition to 0.5 mM salicylhydroxamate (SHAM), a specific inhibitor of cyanide-resistant (alternative) respiration. Oxygen uptake in whole cells was strongly inhibited in the wild-type strains by azoxystrobin (1.5 micrograms ml-1) in addition to SHAM (1 mM), but not in the mutant isolates. Genetic analysis with nine such mutant isolates resulted in progeny phenotypes which did not follow Mendelian segregation, but satisfied the criteria of non-Mendelian (cytoplasmic) heredity. In crosses between three mutant isolates with the compatible wild-type strains, the sensitivity was inherited by progeny maternally from the wild-type parent strain (criterion of uniparental inheritance). In crosses between wild-type strains and remaining mutant isolates, a continuous distribution of sensitivity in the progeny was found (criterion of vegetative segregation). The third criterion of cytoplasmic resistance (criterion of intracellular selection) was fulfilled by experiments on the stability of resistance phenotypes. With two exceptions, a reduction of resistance was observed in the mutant strains when they were grown on inhibitor-free medium. Recovery of the high resistance level was observed after they were returned to the selection medium. Cross-resistance studies with other fungicides, which also inhibit electron transport through complex III of respiratory chain, showed that mutations for resistance to azoxystrobin were also responsible for reduced sensitivity to kresoxim-methyl (RF 18 to 1199) and to antimycin-A (RF 20 to 305), which act at the Qo and Qi sites of the cytochrome bc1 complex, respectively. Studies of the fitness of azoxystrobin-resistant isolates showed that these mutations appeared to be pleiotropic, having significant adverse effects on growth in liquid culture and pathogenicity on young corn plants.     

A mutant of Ustilago maydis deficient in sterol C-14 demethylation: Characteristics and sensitivity to inhibitors of ergosterol biosynthesis

An ergosterol-deficient mutant of Ustilago maydis was compared to the wild type in regard to morphology, growth rate, lipid content, and sensitivity to ergosterol biosynthetic inhibitors. Morphology of mutant sporidia is abnormal and resembles that of fenarimol-treated wild-type sporidia. Doubling time of mutant sporidia is 6.3 hr compared to 2.5 hr for the wild type. The mutant produces 24-methylenedihydrolanosterol, obtusifoliol, and 14α-methylfecosterol; ergosterol is absent. The sterols of the mutant are the same as those which accumulate in wild-type sporidia treated with the sterol C-14 demethylation inhibitors fenarimol, etaconazole, and miconazole. The level of free fatty acids is higher in the mutant than in wild-type cells. Growth of mutant sporidia is not inhibited by fenarimol, etaconazole, and miconazole, or by the sterol Δ¹⁴-reductase inhibitor azasterol A25822B at low concentrations which inhibit growth of wild-type sporidia. The residual growth rate of wild-type sporidia treated with low concentrations of the sterol C-14 demethylation inhibitors is about the same as that of untreated mutant sporidia. Therefore, the mutant would not be recognized as resistant in a wild-type population. The mutant is deficient in sterol C-14 demethylation and is similar in all properties studied to wild-type sporidia treated with sterol C-14 demethylation inhibitors. These findings support the contention that inhibition of sterol C-14 demethylation in U. maydis is the primary mode of toxicity of fenarimol, etaconazole, and miconazole. A secondary mode of toxicity is evident for miconazole and etaconazole at higher concentrations but is doubtful for fenarimol.     

Inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis by triadimenol in Ustilago avenae

In Ustilago avenae sporidia, following the first doubling period of about 4 h, triadimenol (2 μg ml^?1) affected sporidial multiplication more severely than other growth processes; daughter cells failed to separate from the parent sporidia resulting in chains of interconnected cells. Triadimenol incubated with the fungus for 8 h interfered neither with respiration nor with protein and nucleic acid synthesis but after 6 h the toxicant had induced a higher content of free fatty acids. Triadimenol markedly altered, both quantitatively and qualitatively, the sterols in sporidia of U. avenae. Incorporation of [¹⁴C]acetate (in the form of sodium acetate) into lipid fractions for a period of 2 h revealed that the toxicant powerfully inhibited the synthesis of the 4-demethyl sterol fraction (predominantly ergosterol), whilst the 4,4-dimethyl sterol fraction rapidly accumulated. This was confirmed by g.1.c. analysis of the sterols after 6 and 8 h incubation which showed that the amount of ergosterol, the major sterol in untreated sporidia, was diminished while simultaneously 4,4-dimethyl, 4-methyl and 14-methyl sterols increased. The accumulation of 14-methyl sterols suggests that triadimenol acts as a potent inhibitor of one of the metabolic steps involved in the demethylation at the 14-position during ergosterol biosynthesis.     

Effects of soil temperature on the efficacy of ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitor fungicides for control of Ustilago bullata

The effects of different soil temperatures on the efficacy of ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitor (EBI) fungicides applied as seed treatments for the control of seedling infection of prairie grass Bromus willdenowii (Kunth) by the head smut fungus Ustilago bullata (Berk.) were measured in a glasshouse experiment. The fungicides nuarimol, triadimefon and triadimenol+fuberidazole controlled infection at 17.5deg;C and below, but were less or non-effective above 20.0°C. In a second experiment, nuarimol and propiconazole seed treatments reduced seedling emergence and caused stunting of seedlings, but these effects occurred equally over a range of temperatures from 15.0 to 27.5°C. Soil temperatures (3 cm depth) at a typical field site often exceeded 20°C during early autumn and late spring. Although EBI fungicide seed treatments show promise for U. bullata control, care will be required with their routine use because their efficacy in warm soils may be reduced, and they can have growth retardant effects on prairie grass seedlings.     

A new class of carboxin-resistant mutants of Ustilago maydis

A small percentage of mutants of Ustilago maydis, selected on medium containing 40 μM carboxin, are distinctly more resistant than the mutants previously described, with an ED₅₀ at least 100 times higher than that of wild type strains. Nine mutants of this category were studied. Crosses involving any one of these mutants gave Mendelian ratios in all cases and no transgressive segregation for level of tolerance was observed. All nine mutants were found to carry a mutation at the locus previously designated as oxr-1. In all cases carboxin resistance in vivo could be related to the resistance of the succinic dehydrogenase system in mitochondrial preparations and no other mechanism of resistance has been recognized. It appears that two allelic mutant genes at the oxr-1 locus code for two altered types of the succinic dehydrogenase complex distinguished by the level of carboxin tolerance.     

Genetic Control of Resistance to the Piperidine Fungicide Piperalin in Ustilago maydis

Mutants of Ustilago maydis resistant to the piperidine fungicide piperalin were isolated in a mutation frequency of 2.4 × 10^–5 after UV-irradiation and selection on media containing 50gml^–1 piperalin. Genetic analysis with 15 such mutant isolates resulted in the identifications of two unlinked chromosomal loci, the U/ppl-1 locus with two allelic genes (U/ppl-1A and U/ppl-1B) and the U/ppl-2 locus. The U/ppl-2 and U/ppl-1A mutations are responsible for two levels of moderate and high resistance to piperalin (resistance factor, Rf: 54 and 135, respectively, based on effective concentration causing a 50% reduction in the growth rate, EC₅₀), while the U/ppl-1B mutation gives only a small reduction (approximately 8-fold) in piperalin sensitivity. Cross-resistance studies with other SBIs shows that the major gene (U/ppl-2 and U/ppl-1A) mutants are resistant to fenpropidin (Rf: 43 and 68), fenpropimorph (Rf: 261 and 283) and tridemorph (Rf: 9 and 10), but not to the inhibitors of C-14 demethylase (DMIs) and squalene epoxidase. The minor gene mutation U/ppl-1B codes a low-level of resistance (approximately 5—12-fold) to the above morpholine-type fungicides, but in contrast with the major gene mutations it increases 2–10 times the sensitivity to triazoles: triadimefon, triadimenol, propiconazole and flusilazole. Crosses between mutants carrying the U/ppl-genes with compatible isolates carrying the U/fpd, U/fpm or U/tdm mutations, which have been identified in previous genetic works for resistance to morpholine-type fungicides, yielded, with the exception of U/ppl-2 ×U/fpm-2 cross, a large number of recombinants with wild-type sensitivity, indicating that the mutant genes involved in these crosses, were not allelic. An additive gene effect was observed only between nonallelic minor genes U/ppl-1B and U/fpm-1B or U/tdm-1,2. Studies of the fitness of piperalin-resistant isolates showed that the reduced sensitivity of major gene mutants was not associated with changes on the phytopathogenic fitness determining characteristics, such as growth in liquid culture and pathogenicity on young corn plants. Conversely, the minor gene mutation U/ppl-1B appeared to be pleiotropic, having significantly adverse effects on the phytopathogenic fitness.     

Effect of the fungicide pyrifenox on sterol biosynthesis in Ustilago maydis

Pyrifenox, a new pyridine derivative, proved to be an inhibitor of ergosterol biosynthesis, blocking the pathway at the C-14 demethylation step in Ustilago maydis (CD.) Cor da. In treated sporidia the incorporation of [1-¹⁴C]acetic acid into ergosterol and squalene was reduced and the incorporation into sterols which retain the C-14 methyl group, mainly 24-methylenedihydrolanosterol and obtusifoliol, was increased. In addition, treatment with pyrifenox markedly reduced the incorporation into sterol esters. It is possible that the methylated sterols may be unsuitable substrates for the esterification enzyme.     

Genetic control of resistance to fenpropimorph in Ustilago maydis

Fenpropimorph-resistant mutants of Ustilago maydis were obtained at high frequency (30 × 10⁻⁶) after UV-irradiation followed by selection on media containing fenpropimorph (50 μ g mL⁻¹). Genetic analysis of 30 such mutants resulted in the identification of two unlinked chromosomal loci, the U/fpm -1 locus with two allelic genes ( U/fpm- 1A and U/fpm -1B) and the U/fpm -2 locus. The mutant genes U/fpm- 1A and U/fpm -2 are responsible for high resistance levels (Rf: 75–100 or 257–286 based on MICs or ED_50s, respectively), while the U/fpm -1B mutation gives only a small reduction (approximately 7–10-fold) in fenpropimorph sensitivity. Cross-resistance studies with other SBIs showed that the major gene ( U/fpm- 1A and U/fpm -2) mutants were cross-resistant to the related compound fenpropidin (Rf: 15–20 or 53–66 based on MICs or ED_50s values, respectively) and to tridemorph (Rf: 5 or 7.1–9.5 based on MICs or ED_50s values, respectively), but not to the inhibitors of steps of ergosterol biosynthesis preceding the Δ¹⁴-reductase. The minor gene ( U/fpm -1B) mutants also had low-level resistance (approximately 5-fold) to tridemorph and to fenpropidin, but in contrast with the major gene mutants they were 2–10 times more sensitive to the triazoles studied (triadimefon, triadimenol, propiconazole and flusilazole) and to the pyridine, pyrifenox.
Studies of the fitness of U. maydis mutants showed that in major gene mutants, resistance was not associated with changes in growth rate in liquid culture or pathogenicity on young maize plants. The minor gene mutation reduced significantly the growth rate in liquid culture and the pathogenicity, either in homozygous or heterozygous condition in dikaryotic mycelium.     

Structure-activity relationships of carboxamide fungicides and the succinic dehydrogenase complex of Cryptococcus laurentii and Ustilago maydis

The systemic fungicide, carboxin (5,6-dihydro-2-methyl-1,4-oxathiin-3-carboxanilide) and a variety of carboxamide compounds exhibit a marked specificity for Basidiomycete fungi. This unique specificity resides in the mitochondrial succinic dehydrogenase complex (SDC) of sensitive Basidiomycetes such as Ustilago maydis, the corn smut fungus. The present study examines in detail the structure-activity relationships of 93 carboxamide compounds and the SDC of two carboxin-sensitive organisms, U. maydis and a Basidiomycetous yeast, Cryptococcus laurentii. It has been possible to elucidate substantially the requirement in molecular structure needed for inhibition of the mitochondrial SDC. With few exceptions, a good correlation exists between the inhibitory activity of carboxamides towards the SDC of U. maydis and C. laurentii and the inhibition of growth of carboxamide-sensitive fungi, both in vitro and in vivo on the diseased plant. The structure-activity results were used as a basis for the synthesis of new, fungicidally-active carboxamides. The compounds found to be most active against the mycelial growth of Rhizoctonia solani were also tested on spore germination or mycelial growth of non-Basidiomycete fungi. Three carboxanilides (3-methyl-thiophene-2-carboxanilide, 3′-methyl-2-methylbenzanilide and 3′-methyl-2-ethylbenzanilide) had a fungitoxic spectrum which extended beyond Basidiomycetes. The spectrum of fungicidal activity of carboxanilides appears to be altered not only by substitution in the aniline ring, but by the nature of the ring attached to the carbonyl. No correlation was found between the inhibitory activity of oxathiins and benzanilides and their calculated partition coefficients.     

Cross-resistance relationships between benzimidazole fungicides and diethofencarb in Botrytis cinerea and their genetical basis in Ustilago maydis

After nitrosoguanidine- or UV-mutagenesis, three different benzimidazole-resistant phenotypes were isolated on media containing benomyl or a mixture of carbendazim and diethofencarb from wild-type strains of Botrytis cinerea Pers. ex Fr. and Ustilago maydis (D.C.) Corda. Mutants of B. cinerea with moderate (MBr) or low (LBr) resistance to benzimidazoles and high resistance to diethofencarb (Dr) were isolated from the fungicide-mixture-containing medium in low frequency (7–1 × 10^?8). Only benzimidazole-resistant strains highly sensitive to diethofencarb (HBrDs) were identified on benomyl-containing medium at a frequency of 6.6 × 10^?6. Fitness-determining characteristics such as sporulation, germination and germ-tube elongation, were found to be reduced significantly in the mutants of B. cinerea that were resistant to both benzimidazoles and diethofencarb. However, pathogenicity of a MBrDr mutant strain on cucumber seedlings was equal to that of the wild type and a carbendazim + diethofencarb mixture was found to control grey mould caused by the wild type, but was not effective when the plant cotyledons were infected by the mutant strain. Three benzimidazole-resistant phenotypes (HBrDs, HBrDr, MBrDr) were isolated easily in U. maydis from a benomyl-containing medium. In contrast with B. cinerea, only one-tenth of the benzimidazole-resistant strains were sensitive to diethofencarb. Genetic analysis of benzimidazole resistance in U. maydis showed that the three benzimidazole-resistant phenotypes were due to three allelic mutations in a single gene and one of them was responsible for the negative cross-resistance between benzimidazoles and diethofencarb.     

Resistance to Sterol Demethylation Inhibitors in Ustilago maydis. III. Cross-Resistance Patterns and Sterol Analyses

Two spontaneous triadimefon-resistant mutants of Ustilago maydis, 151ar/1 and 151ar/3, were investigated with regard to their extent of cross-resistance and their sterol composition to elicit indications about the specificity of the present resistance mechanisms. Testing resistance to various sterol biosynthesis inhibitors and toxicants with different modes of action, it could be demonstrated that, in the mutant 151ar/1, cross-resistance was limited to the sterol demethylation inhibitors (DMIs), whereas, in strain 151ar/3, resistance included most sterol biosynthesis inhibitors studied (DMIs, morpholines, piperidines, allylamines) as well as the unrelated compounds vinclozolin and cycloheximide. Sterol analyses showed that both mutants contained ergosterol as the main sterol component. In comparison with the sensitive reference strain, the mutant 151ar/1 had a slightly elevated content of C-14 methyl sterols, whereas in strain 151ar/3 the amount of ergosterol was increased. Triadimefon caused an accumulation of C-14 methyl sterols and a decrease in ergosterol content in the sensitive strain and the mutant 151ar/1, whereas the other strain 151ar/3 remained unaffected. The results indicate that several resistance mechanisms are probably operating in the two mutants.     

The lipid compositions of two isolates of Cladosporium cucumerinum do not explain their differences in sensitivity to fungicides which inhibit sterol biosynthesis

Isolate 840905 of Cladosporium cucumerinum, when grown on agar or in liqiud medium, was sensitive to triadimenol, HWG 1608 (tebuconazole), fenpropimorph and pimaricin but relatively resistant to terbinafine. Conversely, isolate 49628 was sensitive to terbinafine but relatively resistant to the other fungicides. Changes in sterol composition following treatment with the fungicides reflected the known modes of action of each fungicide. When individual enantiomers of triadimenol were tested against isolate 840905 the order of activity in reducing mycelial growth was 1 S, 2R > 1R, 2R > 1R, 2S ≈? 1S, 2S, and this was paralleled by the depletion of ergosterol and the appearance of 14α-methyl sterols. Isolate 49628 had a greater saturated:unsaturated fatty acid ratio than did isolate 840905 but no major changes in fatty acid composition of either isolate were induced by fungicide treatment. There appears to be no obvious explanation for the differences in fungicide sensitivity of the isolates in terms of their lipid compositions.