Fusarium globosum, a new species from corn in southern Africa

Abstract

Fusarium globosum, a new species in Fusarium Section Liseola, is described and illustrated. This fungus is characterized by abundant globose microconidia produced singly or in botryose clusters on monophialides and polyphialides in the aerial mycelium. Clavate to ellipsoidal microconidia, with a truncate base, are produced in false heads and in chains in the aerial mycelium. Some pyriform to napiform microconidia are also found in culture. Macroconidia are typical of Fusarium section Liseola and have thin, delicate walls, are slightly sickle-shaped, with the dorsal and ventral surfaces almost parallel, and the basal cell is foot-shaped. Chlamydospores have not been found in any of the isolates.

Key Words:

• corn kernels
• systematic
• Zea mays