GROUPING OF ISOLATES OF A LOW-TEMPERATURE BASIDIOMYCETE ON THE BASIS OF CULTURAL BEHAVIOR AND PATHOGENICITY

Abstract

Isolates of an unidentified low-temperature basidiomycete, associated with snow mold in Western Canada, were divided into three types, A, B, and C, on the basis of their general cultural appearance. Support for this classification was obtained when representative isolates of each type were examined to determine: the effect of temperature and pH on growth; tolerance of antibiotics and HCN; ability to liberate HCN in culture and in the host plant; pathogenicity.Type A isolates grew slowly under most conditions and were least tolerant of the extremes of temperature and pH employed, moderately inhibited by antibiotics, and strongly inhibited by HCN. They produced HCN in large quantities in host plants and none in culture. They were moderately pathogenic on grass and highly pathogenic on alfalfa. Type B isolates grew somewhat more rapidly than type A, especially at the upper and lower temperatures, and grew over a wider pH range. These isolates were more tolerant of antibiotics and HCN. They produced smaller quantities of HCN than type A in infected alfalfa plants but released large amounts in culture. They were less pathogenic than type A on alfalfa but similarly pathogenic on grass. Type C isolates were fast-growing forms which were strongly inhibited by antibiotics and HCN. They did not liberate HCN under any conditions and were not pathogenic.