Seed Testing of Maize and Wheat A Laboratory Guide - Search ...

References
Booth, C. 1971. The Genus
Fusarium. Kew, England: CAB
International.
CM I. 1971. Descriptions of
Pathogenic Fungi and Bacteria
No. 308. Fusarium poae. CAB,
UK.
Malone, J.P., and Muskett, A.E.
1964. Seed-borne fungi ­
description of 77 fungus species.
Proc. Int. Seed Test. Assoc.
29 (2): 179-384.
Nath, R., Neergaard, P., and
Mathur, S.B. 1970. Identification
of Fusarium species on seeds as
they occur in blotter test. Proc.
Int. Seed Test. Assoc. 35 (1):
121 -144.
Colony on seed is cottony with
fine , white, matted mycelium, and
assumes a powdery appearance
with the formation of microconidia.
Later the aerial mycelium turns
reddish-brown .
Conidial masses are generally
quite small but variable in size.
Any well-developed colony
produces a sweet, very
characteristic fruity smell.
Microconidia forming slimy balls,
are hyaline, spherical (7-10 jJm
diameter), or pear-shaped (8-12 x
7-10 jJm), and most often 1-celled
but occasionally 2-celled (10-14 x
6-7 jJm).
Macroconidia are generally rare,
hyaline, typically narrowed
towards the ends, slightly wider
above the middle septum, have a
foot-shaped basal cell , and are 3
septate when mature, measuring
20-40 x 3-5 jJm.
Chlamydospores occur
infrequently and may be in clumps
or chains.
The most distinguishing
characteristic of F paae is the
abundant production of spherical
to oval microconidia.
However, it may be easily
identified under the stereoscopic
microscope, if present as a pure
colony on the seed. In welldeveloped
colonies there is
abundant loose mycelium and the
microconidial masses are
irregularly arranged along the
hyphae giving the colony a very
rough appearance. Such welldeveloped
colonies appear dull
white or a little light pink.
Nelson, P.E., Toussoun, T.A., and
Marasas, W.F.O. 1983. Fusarium
Species - An Illustrated Manual
far Identification. The
Pennsylvania State University
Press, USA and London.
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