ARS | Publication request: MORPHOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL DIFFERENTIATION OF DESCRIBED SPECIES OF ALTERNARIA FROM POACEAE

Submitted to: Mycotaxon
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: March 15, 2002
Publication Date: June 15, 2002
Citation: DUGAN, F.M., PEEVER, T.L. MORPHOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL DIFFERENTIATION OF DESCRIBED SPECIES OF ALTERNARIA FROM POACEAE. MYCOTAXON. 2002. v. 83. p. 229-264.

Interpretive Summary: The genus Alternaria is one of the most important genera of plant pathogens, including seed pathogens. Many of it's members are also important as saprophytes, and as agents of allergic reactions in humans. Identification to species is difficult, and previously published literature for identification is compromised by omission of several important species or lack of illustrations. Some very good descriptions have been published, but such were not accompanied by a key. This manuscript describes, illustrates and provides a key to species present on grass family hosts. Species not presently reported in the United States and known to cause diseases of grass family hosts are included.

Technical Abstract: Thirteen graminicolous species currently or previously assigned to the genus Alternaria are illustrated from type, authentic and/or representative cultures and exsiccati. Concise descriptions and a key to morphological characters are provided and tested against small-spored, chain-forming strains isolated by the authors. An additional eleven names for which material was unavailable, insufficient for accurate description, or of only incidental occurrence on Poaceae are listed. A small number of small-spored, chain-forming strains were poorly accommodated within the descriptions and may represent unnamed species.