Distribution of Mating Types and the Teleomorph of Ascochyta rabiei on Chickpea in Turkey

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Abstract
One hundred forty-five isolates of Ascochyta rabiei, the cause of Ascochyta blight of chickpea, were collected from chickpea (Cicer arietinum) in 23 provinces of Turkey. Each isolate was tested for mating type with compatible MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 tester isolates. Both mating types were found in 18 provinces. Of the isolates tested, 59% were MAT1-1 and 41% were MAT1-2. A great deal of variation in cultural characteristics was observed among the Turkish isolates in mycelial growth, sporulation, and colony appearance. Mature pseudothecia of Didymella rabiei, the teleomorph (sexual state) of A. rabiei, developed on naturally infested chickpea debris collected in 15 of 20 provinces when incubated under favorable conditions. This is a new geographic record for D. rabiei. The teleomorph may play an important role in long-distance dissemination of the pathogen and in increasing genetic diversity in the pathogen population in Turkey.