Biotrophic mycoparasitic interactions between Sphaerodes mycoparasitica and phytopathogenic Fusarium species.

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationships between the biotrophic mycoparasite Sphaerodes mycoparasitica and pathogenic Fusarium strains. To study the interactions between S. mycoparasitica and four different phytopathogenic Fusarium strains, macroscopic observations were performed using dual-culture assays and microscopic examinations in combination with light and fluorescent microscopy. Both macroscopic and microscopic techniques were also vital in determining the host specificity of S. mycoparasitica with F. avenaceum, F. oxysporum, F. proliferatum, and F. sporotrichioides. Our results suggest that S. mycoparasitica established haustorial contact with F. avenaceum and F. oxysporum. Data obtained from the dual-culture assay and parasitism interactions revealed that this newly described contact biotrophic mycoparasitic fungus was capable of reducing F. avenaceum and F. oxysporum linear growth and size of hyphal cells through infection and penetration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]