The effect of long-wave UV/dark period on mycelial growth of 46 isolates of
Monilinia sp. collected in Spain and 16 isolates collected from other part
s of the world was investigated. Typical isolates of M. laxa, M. fructigena
, and M. fructicola were grown in the dark and identified by morphological
characteristics. Long-wave UV/dark conditions reduced the growth rates of M
. laxa, M. fructigena, and M. fructicola on potato dextrose agar. All isola
tes of M. fructigena grew more slowly than those of M. fructicola. Typical
and atypical isolates of M. fructigena and M. fructicola were placed in the
ir respective species based on long-wave UV/dark growth rate data. M. laxa
isolates were readily distinguished by the shea distance from their conidiu
m to the first germ tube branch. The involvement of different photoreceptor
s in photoresponses by M. fructicola and M. fructigena is discussed. Differ
ences in mycelial growth under long-wave UV may be a useful tool to identif
y Monilinia spp.