Ballistospores and blastic conidia of Tilletia ayresii, and comparison with those of T. tritici and Entyloma ficariae

Abstract

In Tilletia ayresii on Panicum sp. the sorus, replacing the ovary of the grass, contained thick-walled teliospores and thin-walled Y-shaped spores. Germination of teliospores was not observed, but a few Y-shaped spores germinated to give hyphae from which both blastic conidia and ballistospores were formed. Pure cultures on MA, derived from discharged ballistospores, were studied. These produced both rod-shaped and Y-shaped blastic conidia, and also abundant ballistospores. Comparison is made with corresponding cultures of Tilletia tritici. In that smut it is suggested that basidiospores, blastic conidia and ballistospores may be considered homologous. The blastic conidia and ballistospores of Entyloma ficariae may also be homologous.