Characteristics and natural occurrence of Gibberella fujikuroi mating groups A and D on sorghum and corn hosts

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Abstract
Characteristics and natural occurrence of mating groups A and D of Gibberella fujikuroi were studied and compared with one another in live and dead sorghum plants. Mating group A isolates belong to G. fujikuroi var. moniliformis and D to G. fujikuroi var. intermedia. The fungal groups were isolated from 40-, 60-, 80-, and >80-day-old plants, and also from anthers, seeds, and dead and laboratory dried stalks. Isolates in group D differed from those in group A in colony morphology, mating type behavior, sexuality, crossability, and in tissue preference. Group D was more abundant in senescent and dead plants, as well as in laboratory dried plants and anthers. Group A was prevalent in live and nonsenescent plants and seed. Both groups were found occurring together in nature on corn and sorghum plants and seemed to be sympatric but reproductively isolated.