PHOMA-ETHERIDGEI SP-NOV FROM BLACK GALLS AND CANKERS OF TREMBLING ASPEN (POPULUS-TREMULOIDES) AND ITS POTENTIAL ROLE AS A BIOPROTECTANT AGAINST THE ASPEN DECAY PATHOGEN PHELLINUS-TREMULAE

Phoma etheridgei is described and illustrated from isolates obtained f rom the bark of black galls and cankers of trembling aspen in Alberta. Comparisons are made with Phoma enteroleuca and several other mostly wood-inhabiting Phoma spp. using morphological, physiological, and mol ecular characteristics. A key is provided for the differentiation of P homa spp. that could potentially be isolated from Populus wood. Phoma etheridgei produced antifungal compounds that were strongly inhibitory in vitro to the aspen decay pathogen Phellinus tremulae on agar, in l iquid media and on aspen wood chips, and may play a role in the natura l ecosystem as an antagonist to Phellinus tremulae.