Jeremy A. Klaasen

Identification of a mating population, Gibberella nygamai sp. nov., within the Fusarium nygamai anamorph.

Isolates of Fusarium nygamai were mated and produced fertile perithecia of Gibberella nygamai sp. nov., on carrot agar. Female-fertile tester strains were recovered from random ascospore progeny and two were identified as more reliable female parents in the detection of other members of this population. The formation of microconidia in short chains and the formation of chlamydospores in anamorph prog- eny cultures are suitable characters for species iden- tification of F nygamai. Fusarium nygamai is predom- inantly soilborne.

Fumonisin production by field strains of Fusarium nygamai (Gibberella nygamai) and ascospore progeny of laboratory crosses

Field strains of Fusarium nygamai (Gibberella nygamai) are important producers of the fumonisin mycotoxins. Such strains were mated on carrot agar to obtain ascospore progeny. Field strains and ascospore progeny of F. nygamai produced differential levels of fumonisin B1 (FB1) and B2 (FB2) suitable for genetic analyses. Most of the strains produced higher levels of FB1 than FB2. Ascospore progeny from crosses segregated in 1:1 ratios for loci controlling FB1 production and mating type. These findings can be used as the basis to elucidate the genetics of fumonisin production by F. nygamai.

Acute toxicity studies of the South African medicinal plant Galenia africana

Graphical abstract