Molecular identification of mating type genes in asexually reproducing Fusarium oxysporum and F. Culmorum

Abstract

Sexually (homothallic and heterothallic) and asexually reproducing species belong to the Fusarium genus. So far, there is no known sexual stage of the F. oxysporum Schlechtend.: Fr. and F. culmorum (W.G. Smith) Sacc. Knowing the reproduction mode is important for the design of successful control strategies, since they are different for clonally and sexually reproducing organisms. In examined sets of asexual F. oxysporum and F. culmorum isolates, the DNA sequences of mating type genes (idiomorphs MAT-1 and MAT-2) were identified. MAT-1 sequence was detected for 33 and 40% of F. oxysporum and F. culmorum isolates, respectively. For the remaining isolates a sequence specific for MAT-2 was amplified.