First and third authors: University of Alaska Fairbanks, 533 E. Fireweed, Palmer 99645; and second and fourth authors: Department of Microbiology, University of Sydney, Australia, 2006
ABSTRACT
Isolates of Rhizoctonia solani collected from mycorrhizal orchid (Pterostylis acuminata) plants and adjacent leaf litter were characterized. Of 23 selected isolates, 20 were members of a new anastomosis group (AG-12) and the rest were members of AG-6. There were no bridging anastomosis reactions observed between AG-12 and other AGs of R. solani. Among the 20 isolates of AG-12 evaluated, 18 vegetatively compatible populations were detected, indicating diversity within the AG. Mature cultures were dark brown, as were mature sclerotia. Some cultures produced alternating dark- and light-colored concentric rings, with sclerotia forming in the darker rings. Most cultures were appressed to the agar surface. In tests run to characterize pathogenic potential, selected mycorrhizal isolates of AG-12 and AG-6 did little damage to potato and barley seedlings, moderate damage to head lettuce seedlings, and more extensive damage to seedlings of cauliflower and radish. Isolates of AG-12 have not been observed to fruit in nature, and all attempts to induce formation of the teleomorph (Thanatephorus cucumeris) in the laboratory by selected isolates of AG-12 failed.
