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Molecular characterization and endophytic nature of the root-associated fungus Meliniomyces variabilis (LtVB3)

  • Fungal Diseases
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Abstract

The root-associated fungus LtVB3 was formerly reported as a potential, new biocontrol agent of Verticillium yellows of Chinese cabbage and Fusarium wilt of tomato. According to molecular phylogenetic analysis of the ITS 1-5.8S rDNA-ITS 2 gene regions and morphological characteristics, LtVB3 is here identified as Meliniomyces variabilis, a recently described species [formerly called “Variable White Taxon” (VWT)] in a new genus erected to accommodate sterile fungi with phylogenetic affinities to Rhizoscyphus ericae, an ericoid mycorrhizal fungus. In vitro inoculation experiments showed that LtVB3 colonized the roots of torch azalea and eucalyptus; however, growth was enhanced only in azalea but not in eucalyptus. Hyphae of M. variabilis formed intracellular structures typical of ericoid mycorrhizas in epidermal cells of azalea roots but did not produce any typical ectomycorrhizal structures with or within root cells of either host. In LtVB3-treated eucalyptus roots, some cells in the epidermal and cortical layers had wall appositions and thickenings, which appeared to restrict fungal growth.

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Acknowledgments

Part of this work was supported by the Japan Society for the promotion of Science Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (no. 18880006) to K. Narisawa. We thank Prof. R. S. Currah, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and Dr. S. Hambleton, Biodiversity Theme, Environmental Health Program, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, for valuable suggestions and support for this project. We are also grateful to Dr. M. N. Thormann, Northern Forestry Centre Culture Collection and Mycological Herbarium, Northern Forestry Centre, Natural Resources Canada, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, for critically reviewing this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plant Biotechnology Institute, Ibaraki Agricultural Center, Ago 3165-1, Kasama, 319-0292, Japan

    Nobuaki Ohtaka

  2. College of Agriculture, Ibaraki University, 3-21-1 Chuo, Ami, Ibaraki, 300-0393, Japan

    Kazuhiko Narisawa

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  1. Nobuaki Ohtaka
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  2. Kazuhiko Narisawa
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Correspondence to Nobuaki Ohtaka.

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Ohtaka, N., Narisawa, K. Molecular characterization and endophytic nature of the root-associated fungus Meliniomyces variabilis (LtVB3). J Gen Plant Pathol 74, 24–31 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10327-007-0046-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10327-007-0046-4

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