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ARS Home » Midwest Area » St. Paul, Minnesota » Plant Science Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #197099
Title: PHOMA SCLEROTIOIDES CONFIRMED AS A PATHOGEN OF WINTER WHEAT AND ITS DISTRIBUTION IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA

Author
item HOLLINGSWORTH, C - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
item Samac, Deborah - Debby
item ATKINSON, L - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

Submitted to: American Phytopathological Society Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/13/2006
Publication Date: 6/13/2006
Citation: Hollingsworth, C.R., Samac, D.A., Atkinson, L.M. 2006. Phoma sclerotioides confirmed as a pathogen of winter wheat and its distribution in northwest Minnesota [abstract]. American Phytopathological Society Abstracts. 2006 North Central Division Meeting, June 13-15, 2006, Fargo, North Dakota. Available: http://www.apsnet.org/meetings/div/nc06abs.asp.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Winter-killed plants are commonly observed during early spring in stands of winter wheat in NW Minnesota. Reduced stands can result in yield losses. Described as a snow mold fungus, Phoma sclerotioides (Ps) is known to cause brown root rot of alfalfa in Minnesota. The fungus has a wide host range, including biennial and perennial grasses. Roots of greenhouse-grown winter wheat plants, cultivar ‘Jerry’, were inoculated during 2004 with four Ps isolates obtained from diseased alfalfa roots in Minnesota. Potted plants were placed outside from fall of 2004 through spring of 2005. During spring, root tissues were examined for rot and Ps pycnidia production. Tissue isolations were made from roots. Isolates of Ps were recovered from diseased roots of winter wheat. Plants growing in 22 winter wheat commercial production fields in NW Minnesota were arbitrarily collected during a 2004 survey. Fibrous plant roots were rinsed, surface sterilized, and placed into petri dishes containing sterile water agar. Tissue isolations were maintained at 10 C for a 6 wk minimum until examined. PCRs were also conducted on root tissues to obtain comparison data rapidly. Ps was detected in 18% of surveyed winter wheat fields and in one surveyed field of perennial ryegrass located in Roseau County, MN.