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Sphaerodes quadrangularis biotrophic mycoparasitism on Fusarium avenaceum

     ¹ University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
² Applied Microbiology and Food Science, University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Dr, College of Agriculture Bld., 4E22, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, SK S7N 5A8, Canada

Sphaerodes quadrangularis García, Stchigel & Guarro was shown to be a facultative contact biotrophic mycoparasite of Fusarium avenaceum (Fr.) Sacc. (teleomorph: Gibberella avenacea Cooke); it establishes an intimate relationship with its host by producing hook-shaped and clamp-like attachment structures that appeared to derive nutrients and other essential factor from living host cells. The contact cells of the mycoparasite surround and envelop the host hyphae and, although they do not appear to penetrate the hose, the parasitized hyphae were significantly smaller than unparasitized controls. Sphaerodes quadrangularis did not form specialized attachment structures when cultured together with strains representing F. oxysporum and F. graminearum , indicating some degree of host specificity in the parasite.

Key words: Melanosporales, mycoparasite, Fusarium pathogens, interactions, biocontrol