HAPLOIDIZATION ANALYSIS OF HETEROZYGOUS DIPLOIDS OF THE ENTOMOGENOUS FUNGUSMETARHIZIUM ANISOPLIAE

Abstract
All stages of the parasexual cycle required for genetic analysis by haploidization were demonstrated for M. anisopliae Metsch. (Sor). Heterokaryons were synthesized for strains carrying complementing markers, and heterozygotic diploid colonies were isolated from the heterokaryons. After exposure to benlate or botran, diploid colonies gave rise to a large number of haploid segregants. Analysis of the segregation of 8 mutations in 3 crosses assigned these genes to 5 possible linkage groups. Use of the parasexual cycle should facilitate genetic analysis of pathogenesis and enhance the usefulness of this fungus for the control of insect pests.