Simultaneous Stimulation of Endophytic Cryptodiaporthe hystrix and Inhibition of acer Macrophyllum Callus in Dual Culture

Abstract

Effects of the interaction between the endophyte Cryptodiaporthe hystrix (anamorphic state: Diplodina acerina) and the callus of its host, Acer macrophyllum, were recorded in dual cultures as mutual or unilateral growth stimulation or suppression. Both the callus and the C. hystrix isolates were derived from surface-sterilized 2- to 3-yr-old twigs of healthy 5- to 8-yr-old bigleaf maples growing at different locations in the Vancouver Forest Region of British Columbia.All C. hystrix isolates inhibited callus growth. Conversely, growth of fungus was always strongly stimulated by the presence of callus, irrespective of the provenance of the fungal isolate. Water-soluble metabolites produced by the callus may be responsible for this stimulation.