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An optimized method for mycelial compatibility testing in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Michelle R Schafer1, Linda M Kohn
1Biology Department, University of Toronto at Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road North, Mississauga, ON, L5L 1C6, Canada.
Mycologia
|December 5, 2006
Summary
Optimizing growth media improves genotyping of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum populations. Potato dextrose agar with specific red food coloring concentration enhances mycelial compatibility group (MCG) scoring for diverse genetic samples.
Area of Science:
- Plant Pathology
- Mycology
- Genetics
Background:
- Mycelial compatibility group (MCG) analysis is a standard genotyping method for Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.
- Current MCG testing media can inhibit isolate growth, complicating compatibility scoring, especially in diverse populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To optimize growth media and conditions for reliable MCG classification of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.
- To identify an improved medium that supports growth and accurate compatibility scoring across diverse populations.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of modified Patterson's medium (MPM) with potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with varying concentrations of red food coloring.
- Testing isolate growth and compatibility reactions on optimized media.
- Utilizing self-self pairings as a control for compatible interactions.
Main Results:
- Potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with 75 µL/L McCormick's red food coloring was found to be optimal for isolates inhibited by MPM.
- This optimized PDA formulation also supported isolates from highly clonal populations.
- Standardized conditions allowed for reliable scoring of compatible and incompatible interactions.
Conclusions:
- Optimized PDA with precise red food coloring concentration enhances Sclerotinia sclerotiorum genotyping via MCG analysis.
- Standardized conditions are crucial for accurate compatibility scoring, particularly in genetically diverse or clonal populations.
- Researchers should optimize media before screening new population samples for reliable results.
