Co-Authors:
Korolev, N., Department of Plant Pathology, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, P.O. Box 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Gindin, G., Department of Plant Pathology, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, P.O. Box 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Abstract:
Isolates of Verticillium lecanii, from insects and other substrates, were tested for vegetative compatibility by observing heterokaryon formation among complementary nitrate-nonutilizing (nif) mutants, Among 33 V. lecanii isolates, 17 were self-incompatible. The 16 self-compatible isolates were divided into 13 vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs). Eleven VCGs were single-member VCGs, and the remaining two included two or three isolates each. Self-incompatibility occurred more frequently among isolates with abundant aerial mycelium, whereas most of the isolates with short or reduced aerial mycelium were self-compatible. Virulence to larvae of Bemisia tabaci ranged from 0 (four isolates) to 83% mortality 4 d after treatment with conidial suspensions. There was no correlation between the capacity of isolates to anastomose and their virulence to larvae of Bemisia tabaci: highly virulent isolates were found at similar frequencies among self-compatible and self-incompatible isolates. Those with abundant aerial mycelium were collectively more virulent (28.5% mortality) than those with reduced mycelium (10.7% mortality). Three isolates belong to VCG VL-11 were all highly virulent.