Cultural variation and pathogenicity of the Colletotrichum blight fungus of dwarf mistletoe

Abstract

The fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, previously reported infecting only the true fir form of dwarfmistletoe, Arceuthobium campylopodum f. Abietinum, also infects A. campylopodum f. typicum and A. americanum in California. Isolates of this fungus from each form or species of dwarfmistletoe are culturally distinct from one another. Differences in mycelial growth, colony color, and diameter growth and sporulation were noted. Cross inoculation showed that the fungus is not host specific. All three isolates will infect the dwarfmistletoe forms and species mentioned. Results of the studies suppest that: 1) Geographically distinct isolates of the fungus exist. 2) No perfect stage for long-distance spread occurs, because isolates on a given host in a particular area retain their distinctive characteristics.

Citation

Scharpf, R.F. 1964. Cultural variation and pathogenicity of the Colletotrichum blight fungus of dwarf mistletoe. Phytopathology. 54: 905-906.