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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Crop Production Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #386809
Research Project: Weed Biology and Development of Improved Management Technologies for Invasive and Herbicide-Resistant Weeds

Location: Crop Production Systems Research

Title: Taxonomic evaluation of a bioherbicidal isolate albifimbria verrucaria, formerly myrothecium verrucaria

Author
item Weaver, Mark
item Hoagland, Robert
item Boyette, Clyde
item BROWN, SHAWN - University Of Memphis

Submitted to: The Journal of Fungi
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/21/2021
Publication Date: 8/26/2021
Citation: Weaver, M.A., Hoagland, R.E., Boyette, C.D., Brown, S.P. 2021. Taxonomic evaluation of a bioherbicidal isolate albifimbria verrucaria, formerly myrothecium verrucaria. The Journal of Fungi. 7(9):694. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof7090694.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jof7090694

Interpretive Summary: Over the last 25 years there has been extensive research with a fungal pathogen (CABI-IMI 368023) for use in the biocontrol of weeds, but the identity of that pathogen was uncertain following a recent taxonomic revision. In this work, USDA-ARS scientists and a University of Memphis collaborator completed a genetic and morphological examination of this biocontrol agent to determine its correct taxonomic placement. With multiple patents and over 25 peer-reviewed publications on this biocontrol isolate, it was important to clarify its taxonomic status. The results are important since the classification of this biocontrol agent of weeds is more accurately defined in relation to other microorganisms.

Technical Abstract: The fungal genus Myrothecium was once polyphletic but a recent reconsideration of the family Stachybotryaceae spilt it into several genera. The ex-neotype specimen of the species Myrothecium verrucaria is now recognized as Albifimbria verrucaria. The well-studied plant pathogen and candidate bioherbicide CABI-IMI 368023, previously identified as M. verrucaria, was analyzed morphologically and genetically and found to be most consistently aligned with other representatives of A. verrucaria.