VIEW ARTICLE

Genetics

Induced Sectoring in Diploid Aspergillus nidulans as a Criterion of Fungitoxicity by Interference with Hereditary Processes. S. G. Georgopoulos, Department of Biology, Nuclear Research Center “Demokritos”, Athens, Greece; A. Kappas(2) and A. C. Hastie(3). (2)Department of Biology, Nuclear Research Center “Demokritos”, Athens, Greece; (3)Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland. Phytopathology 66:217-220. Accepted for publication 16 August 1975. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-66-217.

A green diploid strain of Aspergillus nidulans, heterozygous for the recessive genes determining production of yellow and white conidia, was used to study the ability of fungicides to induce somatic segregation. Comparison of eight antifungal compounds of known, site-specific, inhibitory action showed that induced sectoring is specific for compounds acting on hereditary processes. Among nine other agricultural fungicides with either a multisite, or an uncertain, mechanism of action, several members of the aromatic hydrocarbon group were shown to possess genetic activity. Although these fungicides may have other effects on cellular activities, it is believed that a site within the cell nucleus is probably the most sensitive one.