Factors affecting perithecial production in Gibberella (Fusarium) tricincta

Abstract

Three pigmentation types (brown, red, and white) of Fusarium tricinctum (Corda) Sacc. were observed when an isolated mass culture from leaf spots on English ivy (Hedera helix L.) was single spored. Perithecia of the heterothallic fungus Gibberella tricincta El-Gholl were produced at 20 and 27 °C on stem pieces of Cynodon dactylan Pers. resting on water agar, under 12-h alternating light and dark when certain pigmentation types were paired. Pairing of red and brown pigmentation types yielded significantly (P < 0.05) more perithecia than red and white pairings at 20 and 27 °C. Perithecia were formed only in combinations of red with brown or white pigmentation types. In both sets of pairings, significantly (P < 0.05) more perithecia were produced at 27 than at 20 °C. No perithecia were formed in constant darkness. Occasionally, the red pigmentation type became white after subsequent transfers and never reverted to the red pigmentation on various media and failed to produce perithecia with any pigmentation type. Continuous darkness slightly favored red pigment formation over continuous light as detected by the Munsell color codes. Increasing temperatures from 20 to 32 °C decreased the colony growth diameter of the red-pigmented cultural type. At 32 °C a change in hue was noted with corresponding changes in color codes. Red mycelial pigmentation was intensified by the addition of copper, iron, manganese, and zinc to a basal medium. The addition of 0.1% yeast extract favored mycelial development and caused a more pronounced red mycelial pigmentation in the presence of heavy metals.