Effect of water potential on the development of an haploid strain of Sporisorium reilianum f.sp. zeae

摘要: Sporisorium reilianum f.sp. zeae, the causal agent of head smut, infects roots maize plantlets. Little information is available concerning development fungus in soil, although this saprophytic phase an important part life cycle. This paper reports that water potential also affects hyphal induction, and effect on may influence disease transmission. In response to a decrease from 0 −1.52 MPa presence variable molecular weight polyethylene glycols, haploid hyphae develop yeast. Hyphal extension fastest at low potentials (−1.2 MPa) controlled with high PEG-3350 PEG-8000. Formation parasitic dikaryotic following fusion between was possible not inhibited by stress. These results are consistent hypothesis effects soil yeast–hyphal transition growth facilitate convergence compatible strains, increase severity.