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Molecular relatedness within the "Ascochyta pinodes-complex".
J Fatehi1, P D Bridge, E Punithalingam
1CABI Bioscience, Bakeham Lane, Egham Surrey, TW20 9TY.
Mycopathologia
|December 20, 2003
Summary
This study on fungal isolates like Ascochyta pinodes found they are host-preferential forms of a single species. Molecular and morphological data support this taxonomic conclusion for plant pathogens.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Plant Pathology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Ascochyta pinodes, A. phaseolorum, and Phoma medicaginis var. pinodella are plant pathogenic fungi.
- Distinguishing between these closely related species is challenging.
- Understanding their taxonomic relationship is crucial for disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the taxonomic status of 34 fungal isolates.
- To investigate the relationships between Ascochyta and Phoma species.
Main Methods:
- Morphological characterization.
- Molecular analyses including PCR fragment size, RFLPs (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms) of mitochondrial and rRNA genes, and rRNA Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequencing.
- Pathological characterization.
Main Results:
- Isolates were largely homogenous across morphological and molecular markers.
- Minor variations observed in conidial size, septation, and mitochondrial DNA RFLPs.
- Molecular data indicate isolates represent host-preferential forms of a single taxon.
Conclusions:
- The studied isolates are considered host-preferential forms of a single fungal taxon.
- This finding has implications for the taxonomy and classification of Ascochyta and Phoma species.
- Further research on teleomorphs and reference strains is warranted.