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Title: MOLECULAR CHARACTERISATION OF ENDOPHYTIC MORPHO-SPECIES ISOLATED FROM COCOA (THEOBROMA CACAO): A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF BIOCONTROL AGENTS?

Author
item CROZIER, JANE - CABI, UK
item THOMAS, SARAH - CABI, UK
item Aime, Mary
item HOLMES, KEITH - CABI, UK
item EVANS, HARRY - CABI, UK

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/20/2005
Publication Date: 1/12/2006
Citation: Crozier, J., Thomas, S.E., Aime, M.C., Evans, H.C., Holmes, K.A. 2006. Molecular characterization of endophytic morpho-species isolated from cocoa (Theobroma cacao): a potential source of biocontrol agents? [abstract]. Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Plant-Microbe Interactions: Endophytes and biocontrol agents, Saariselka, Lapland, Finland, April 18-22.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Endophytic fungi were isolated from cocoa (Theobroma cacao) trees in natural forest ecosystems and agroecosystems in Latin America. These fungi were collected as a potential source of biocontrol agents for the basidiomycetous pathogens of cocoa in South and Central America, Moniliophthora roreri (frosty pod rot) and Crinipellis perniciosa (witches' broom). Many of these isolates were morphologically unidentifiable as they failed to form fruiting structures (i.e., non-sporulating). More than sixty non-sporulating isolates were selected for DNA extraction and sequence analysis of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA). The large subunit (LSU) was chosen for initial sequencing because this region has been used most often, historically, for molecular systematics in higher fungi and comprehensive LSU datasets were already available for sequence analyses. The LSU was amplified and sequenced using four primers-- LROR, LR3R, LR5 and LR6. Results indicated that the majority of these isolates belong to the Basidiomycota, particularly to that group known as the Aphyllophorales. With LSU data alone we were able to resolve identification at varying taxonomic levels (all to order, most to family, many to genus and a few to species). Additional sequencing and molecular analyses of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and ribosomal small subunit (SSU) were carried out on select isolates to aid identification of most of these to genus or species. Some of the isolates came from rarely collected genera such as Hypochnicium, and Byssomerulius, while the most commonly isolated basidiomycete endophyte is a member of the cosmopolitan genus Coprinellus. These and other isolates will be discussed, with emphasis on their role within the host and potential as biological control agents.