Mycoparasitic Fungi Associated with Potential Stalk Rot Pathogens of Corn

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Abstract
Fungi were isolated from the pith of stalk-rot-affected corn plants collected from five locations in Iowa [USA] during 1979 to 1983. Known plant pathogenic fungi were isolated and identified along with potentially mycoparasitic fungi that grew in association with them. The pathogenic fungi, in descending order of their frequency of association with mycoparasites, were: Fusarium moniliforme, Helminthosporium carbonum, Colletotrichum graminicola, Cladosporium herbarum, F. graminearum, Pyrenochaeta terrestris, and Diplodia maydis. The mycoparasitic fungi, in descending order of frequency, were: Sphaeronaemella helvella, Trichoderma viride, Gliocladium roseum, Exobasidiellum sp., Gonatobotrys simplex, Trichothecium roseum, Pythium acanthicum, and a sterile fungus. Evidence of mycoparasitism was observed as the fungi penetrated host hyphae and subsequently reduced mycelia and pigment formation in dual cultures. None of the mycoparasitic fungi were pathogenic to corn. This is the first known report of the presence of mycoparasitic fungi associated with potential stalk rot pathogens in corn. These fungi may influence the incidence and severity of the stalk rot diseases.

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