Influence of environmental, host and cultural factors on conidium morphology of Marssonina species pathogenic to poplars

Abstract

AbstractLaboratory studies investigating the influence of environmental, host and cultural factors on conidium morphology of isolates of Marssonina brunnea, M. castagnei and M. populi established that conidial features (length and breadth dimensions, shape, conidium ratios, L:B, LS:B and septum location) were remarkably stable. Significant differences in length and breadth dimensions and ratios were induced by culture media and host but not by media pH, incubation temperature, photoperiod, leaf age, leaf surface and infection severity. Significant differences in conidial dimensions and ratios of M. brunnea were observed following examination of monthly collections from a single field‐grown tree. The variation in conidial features induced by environmental, host and cultural factors in no instance obscured taxonomic differences between species.