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Abstract
The growth of the fungi Atkinsonella hypoxylon and A. texensis on calli of three host grasses was investigated in order to determine if in vitro cell cultures could be utilized to predict plant/fungal compatibility in vivo. Previous seedling inoculation studies have shown that Atkinsonella isolates from Danthonia and Stipa host grasses were incompatible with seedlings of the opposite host genus and that isolates from D. spicata were incompatible with seedlings of D. sericea. In this study isolates of A. hypoxylon from D. sericea and D. spicata, and A. texensis from S. leucotricha were grown reciprocally on individual replicated calli of all host grasses and their growth was monitored over time. Fungal isolates grew significantly faster on their native host calli than on alien host calli. Growth of isolates from D. sericea and D. spicata was significantly faster on Danthonia calli than on Stipa calli, and the isolate from Stipa grew significantly faster on S. leucotricha calli than on Danthonia calli. The growth of the D. sericea isolate was stimulated on D. sericea calli relative to controls, whereas the D. spicata isolate was inhibited on D. sericea calli after the third day of growth relative to controls. Dual host calli/fungal culture represents an in vitro system for screening compatibility of systemic clavicipitaceous fungi with both native and alien host grasses.