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Title: MORPHOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR STUDIES ON DENDRYPHION PENICILLATUM AND PLEOSPORA PAPAVERACEA, PATHOGENS OF PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM

Author
item Farr, David
item Oneill, Nichole
item Van Berkum, Peter

Submitted to: Mycologia
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/30/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Fungi are increasingly used in the biological control of unwanted plants including illegally grown opium poppy. However, use of these fungi is hindered by a lack of information about their systematics. One fungal species that aggressively attacks opium poppy has been confused with another fungus that is less useful as biocontrol agent. In addition, this species occurs in both sexual and asexual states such that are not clearly defined. These fungi have been studied using morphological and molecular approaches. Both the morphological and molecular data suggest that are two fungal species attacking opium poppy. One of these species has a sexual and a asexual state while the other specie is only known to reproduce asexually. The two fungal species are clearly defined, described and illustrated and the scientific names are clarified. The clarification and descriptions of these species will be useful in developing effective biological control agents for opium poppy.

Technical Abstract: Pleospora papaveracea is a well known pathogen of Papaver. The anamorph of P. papaveracea is generally thought to be Dendryphion penicillatum. Morphology and AFLP analysis are used ot show that D. penicillatum is a distinct fungus and not a part of the life cycle of P. papaveracea. Both fungi are pathogens of poppy.