Survival of<i>Fusarium moniliforme</i>Hyphae and Conidia in Grain Sorghum Stalks

Abstract

Fusarium moniliforme [Gibberella fujikuroi] conidia and vegetative hyphae from colonized sterile grain sorghum stalk sections stored in canning jars above and below the ground in Kans. overwintered (1979 and 1980) without loss of viability or pathogenicity. No specialized structures such as thick hyphae, chlamydospores or sclerotia were observed in 1979 although chlamydospore-like cells were seen on some hyphae in 1980. No loss in viability of conidia or hyphae was detected when stored at -16°C for 6 months, indicating that low winter temps. per se have no lethal effects on the fungus and that specialized structures may not be essential for its overwintering