CHARACTERIZATION OF SOME CYLINDROCLADIUM SPECIES WITH 3-SEPTATE CONIDIA USING MORPHOLOGY, ISOZYME BANDING-PATTERNS AND DNA POLYMORPHISMS

Morphological and growth characteristics, esterase isozyme banding pat terns and total DNA profiles were obtained for isolates of Cylindrocla dium citri Fawcett & Klotz, C. crotalariae (Loos) Bell & Sobers, C. il icicola (Hawley) Boedijn & Reitsma, C. penicilloides (Tub.) Tubaki, C. spathulatum El-Gholl, Kimbrough, Barnard, Alfieri & Schoulties as wel l as seven previously unidentified isolates. The study of zymograms an d total DNA banding patterns enhanced our ability to determine relatio nships among and within species. Each procedure allowed us to differen tiate among all the species except between C. penicilloides and C. cit ri, which appeared distinct only on the basis of their esterase zymogr ams. C. penicilloides may therefore be regarded as an intraspecific va riant of C. citri. Furthermore, a new species, C. variabile, and its t eleomorph, Calonectria variabilis, are described. The new species has distinct vesicle morphology, esterase and total DNA banding patterns.