Comparison of North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida Isolates of Cylindrocladium parasiticum

Abstract

Abstract Thirteen isolates of Cylindrocladium parasiticum Crous, Wingfield & Alfenas from North Carolina and 11 from Georgia were grown on plates of PDA at 20,25, and 30 C on a temperature-gradient plate. Culture diameters were measured daily for 6 d. Significant differences were not observed among isolates grown at 20 C and cultures was smaller as compared with those grown at 25 and 30 C. At 25 and 30 C, isolates varied consistently in growth. On average, Georgia isolates grew slightly less than North Carolina isolates, and all isolates grew better at the warmer temperature. Growth of three North Carolina isolates was compared to four Florida isolates in a second experiment. Florida isolates grew significantly faster than North Carolina isolates at all temperatures. Isolates from the three states were compared for their ability to cause root rotting on peanut at 25 and 30 C. Plants were grown in soil infested at a standardized inoculum density in temperature-controlled water bath tanks for 7 wk at which time roots were rated for Cylindrocladium black rot development. Georgia isolates caused more root rot than either North Carolina or Florida isolates at both temperatures and also caused more seedling disease. State effects were significant; Florida isolates caused less root rot than Georgia isolates. Temperature by state interactions were not significant which means that high temperature-tolerant isolates of C. parasiticum have not evolved from regional differences in soil temperature. Further, North Carolina field isolates do not appear to have changed in temperature optima since the 1970s.