Some Genetic Techniques forGibberella zeae

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Abstract
G. zeae, an important plant pathogen, is exploited commercially in the production of zearaleonone, a fungal sex hormone. Genetically, G. zea is relatively intractable. A variety of mutants induced by UV irradiation were recovered by using a high-sorbose, filtration-enrichment technique. These mutants included adenine-, arginine-, and histidine auxotrophs; a non-nutritional, heat-sensitive mutant; and an NADPH-dependent, glutamate dehydrogenase-deficient mutant. Protoplasts were liberated by hyphal digestion with commercially available .beta.-glucuronidase and chitinase. Protoplast fusion, mediated by polyethylene glycol 4000, produced stable heterokaryotic colonies under proper selective conditions. Development of these mutants and techniques lays the groundwork for studying the genetics of G. zeae.