Alternaria brassicifolii sp. nov. Isolated from Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis in Korea

A new species belonging to the genus Alternaria was isolated from the necrotic leaf spots of Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis in Yuseong district, Daejeon, Korea. It is an occasional isolate, not an etiological agent, which is morphologically similar to A. broccoli-italicae, but differs in conidial size and conidiophore shape. Phylogenetic analysis using the sequence datasets of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rDNA, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gpd), and plasma membrane ATPase genes showed that it is distantly related to A. broccoli-italicae and closely related to Alternaria species in the section Pseudoalternaria, which belonged to a clade basal to the section Infectoriae. Morphologically, the species is unique because it produces solitary conidia or conidial chains (two units), unlike the four members in the section Pseudoalternaria that produce conidia as short branched chains. It exhibits weak pathogenicity in the host plant. This report includes the description and illustration of A. brassicifolii as a new species.

Phylogenetic Placement and Morphological Characterization of Sclerotium rolfsii (Teleomorph: Athelia rolfsii) Associated with Blight Disease of Ipomoea batatas in Korea

In this study, we aimed to characterize fungal samples from necrotic lesions on collar regions observed in different sweetpotato growing regions during 2015 and 2016 in Korea. Sclerotia appeared on the root zone soil surface, and white dense mycelia were observed. At the later stages of infection, mother roots quickly rotted, and large areas of the plants were destroyed. The disease occurrence was monitored at 45 and 84 farms, and 11.8% and 6.8% of the land areas were found to be infected in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Fungi were isolated from disease samples, and 36 strains were preserved. Based on the cultural and morphological characteristics of colonies, the isolates resembled the reference strain of Sclerotium rolfsii. Representative strains were identified as S. rolfsii (teleomorph: Athelia rolfsii) based on phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer and large subunit genes along with morphological observations. To test the pathogenicity, sweetpotato storage roots were inoculated with different S. rolfsii strains. ‘Yulmi’ variety displayed the highest disease incidence, whereas ‘Pungwonmi’ resulted in the least. These findings suggested that morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analysis were useful for identification of S. rolfsii.

Characterization of Paecilomyces variotii and Talaromyces amestolkiae in Korea Based on the Morphological Characteristics and Multigene Phylogenetic Analyses

During fungal diversity surveys of the order Eurotiales in Korea, two fungal strains, EML-DG33-1 and EML-NCP50, were isolated from samples of rat dung and fig tree leaf collected at a garden located in Gwangju in 2014. To complete the National Species List of Korea, it is a prerequisite to verify whether many questionable species, which were previously recorded but not confirmed, indeed present in Korea. Herein, the isolates were confirmed as undescribed species, Paecilomyces variotii and Talaromyces amestolkiae based on the combination of morphological and phylogenetic analyses of multigenes including the rDNA internal transcribed spacer, β-tubulin, and RNA polymerase II subunit 2.

Characterization and Pathogenicity of Alternaria burnsii from Seeds of Cucurbita maxima (Cucurbitaceae) in Bangladesh

In the course of survey of endophytic fungi from Bangladesh pumpkin seeds in 2011~2012, two strains (CNU111042 and CNU111043) with similar colony characteristics were isolated and characterized by their morphology and by molecular phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer, glyceraldehydes-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gpd), and Alternaria allergen a1 (Alt a1) sequences. Phylogenetic analysis of all three sequences and their combined dataset revealed that the fungus formed a subclade within the A. alternata clade, matching A. burnsi and showing differences with its other closely related Alternaria species, such as A. longipes, A. tomato, and A. tomaticola. Long ellipsoid, obclavate or ovoid beakless conidia, shorter and thinner conidial size (16~60 [90] x 6.5~14 [~16] microm) distinguish this fungus from other related species. These isolates showed more transverse septation (2~11) and less longitudinal septation (0~3) than did other related species. Moreover, the isolate did not produce any diffusible pigment on media. Therefore, our results reveal that the newly recorded fungus from a new host, Cucurbita maxima, is Alternaria burnsii Uppal, Patel & Kamat.

Characterization and Pathogenicity of Alternaria vanuatuensis, a New Record from Allium Plants in Korea and China

Alternaria from different Allium plants was characterized by multilocus sequence analysis. Based on sequences of the beta-tubulin (BT2b), the Alternaria allergen a1 (Alt a1), and the RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) genes and phylogenetic data analysis, isolates were divided into two groups. The two groups were identical to representative isolates of A. porri (EGS48-147) and A. vanuatuensis (EGS45-018). The conidial characteristics and pathogenicity of A. vanuatuensis also well supported the molecular characteristics. This is the first record of A. vanuatuensis E. G. Simmons & C. F. Hill from Korea and China.

First Record of Alternaria simsimi Causing Leaf Spot on Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) in Korea

Leaf spot disease was observed in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) during 2009 and 2010 in Korea. The pathogen was identified as Alternaria simsimi based on morphological and cultural characteristics. The morphological identification was well supported by phylogenetic analysis of the ribosomal DNA-internal transcribed spacer region. A. simsimi isolates caused spot symptoms on leaves and stems of sesame plants 2 wk after artificial inoculation, which were similar to those observed in the field. This is the first record of leaf spot disease in Korea caused by A. simsimi.

A New Record of Penicillium raphiae Isolated from Agricultural Soil of Ulleung Island, Korea

A fungal isolate EML-NCP01 was recovered from agricultural soil in Ulleung Island, Korea. Phylogenetic analysis of internal transcribed spacer and beta-tubulin genes identified the isolate as the Penicillium species P. raphiae. Morphologically, the EML-NCP01 isolate was identical to the previous description of P. raphiae. The species presented here has not been reported in Korea.

A Novel Alternaria Species Isolated from Peucedanum japonicum in Korea

We isolated and examined a new Alternaria sp., which causes leaf spots on Peucedanum japonicum in Korea, by using molecular and morphological methods. Phylogenetic analysis based on a combined internal transcribed spacer region analysis and two protein-coding genes (gpd and Alt a1) demonstrated that the causal fungus was most closely related to A. cinerariae and A. sonchi, and relevant to A. brassicae. However, conidial morphology indicated that it is a novel species within the genus Alternaria, and therefore we have assigned the fungus a new name in this study.

Biocontrol Activity of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CNU114001 against Fungal Plant Diseases

A total of 62 bacterial isolates were obtained from Gomsohang mud flat, Mohang mud flat, and Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. Among them, the isolate CNU114001 showed significant antagonistic activity against pathogenic fungi by dual culture method. The isolate CNU114001 was identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens by morphological observation and molecular data analysis, including 16SrDNA and gyraseA (gyrA) gene sequences. Antifungal substances of the isolate were extracted and purified by silica gel column chromatography, thin layer chromatography, and high performance liquid chromatography. The heat and UV ray stable compound was identified as iturin, a lipopeptide (LP). The isolate CNU114001 showed broad spectrum activity against 12 phytopathogenic fungi by dual culture method. The semi purified compound significantly inhibits the mycelial growth of pathogenic fungi (Alternaria panax, Botrytis cinera, Colletotrichum orbiculare, Penicillium digitatum, Pyricularia grisea and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) at 200 ppm concentration. Spore germ tube elongation of Botrytis cinerea was inhibited by culture filtrate of the isolate. Crude antifungal substance showed antagonistic activity against cucumber scleotiorum rot in laboratory, and showed antagonistic activity against tomato gray mold, cucumber, and pumpkin powdery mildew in greenhouse condition.

New Records of Endophytic Paecilomyces inflatus and Bionectria ochroleuca from Chili Pepper Plants in Korea

Two new species of endophytic fungi were encountered during a diversity study of healthy tissues of chili pepper plants in Korea. The species were identified as Paecilomyces inflatus and Bionectria ochroleuca based on molecular and morphological analyses. Morphological descriptions of these endophytic isolates matched well with their molecular analysis. In the present study, detailed descriptions of internal transcribed spacer regions and morphological observations of these two fungi are presented.

A New Record of Penicillium cainii from Soil in Korea

Twenty Penicillium isolates were recovered during the investigation of fungal community in the soil samples collected from Wando (Jeonnam Province, Korea). Among them, one species was identified and described as P. cainii based on phylogentic analysis of internal transcribed spacer and beta-tubulin (BT2) genes and morphological characteristics. This is a first report of P. cainii in Korea.

Molecular and Morphological Characterization of Endophytic Heterobasidion araucariae from Roots of Capsicum annuum L. in Korea

A species of Heterobasidion was encountered during a diversity study of endophytic fungi from healthy root tissues of chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in Korea. The fungal species (CNU081069) was identified as Heterobasidion araucariae based on phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer and translation elongation factor gene sequences. Morphological descriptions of the endophytic isolate matched well with the previous references and supported the molecular identification. The fungus Heterobasidion araucariae CNU081069 is new to Korea.

First Report on Isolation of Penicillium adametzioides and Purpureocillium lilacinum from Decayed Fruit of Cheongsoo Grapes in Korea

Two species, Penicillium adametzioides and Purpureocillium lilacinum, were isolated from decayed grapes (cv. Cheongsoo) in Korea. Each species was initially identified by phylogenetic analysis of a combined dataset of two genes. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and beta-tubulin (BT2) genes were used for identification of Penicillium adametzioides, and ITS and partial translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF) genes were used for identification of Purpureocillium lilacinum. Morphologically, they were found to be identical to previous descriptions. The two species presented here have not been previously reported in Korea.

Molecular Characterization and Morphology of Two Endophytic Peyronellaea Species from Pinus koraiensis in Korea

Species of Phoma and its allies were isolated during a survey on the diversity of endophytic fungi associated with pine trees in Korea. Based on the phylogenetic analyses of internal transcribed spacer and beta-tubulin gene sequences, two Phoma-like species from the needles of Pinus koraiensis were identified as Peyronellaea calorpreferens and P. glomerata. They were also morphologically identified based on the previous descriptions. Here, we report P. calorpreferens and P. glomerata being present in Korea as endophytic fungi in Pinus koraiensis.

Two Species of Endophytic Cladosporium in Pine Trees in Korea

During our studies on the diverse endophytic fungi resident on conifer needles, many species of Cladosporium previously unreported in Korea were encountered. In this paper, we report on two species of Cladosporium from the needles of pine trees (Pinus spp.). Based on analyses of internal transcribed spacer gene sequence, and cultural and micromorphological characteristics, they were identified as C. oxysporum and C. sphaerospermum. Both species have not been hitherto reported in Korea.

Six Species of Penicillium Associated with Blue Mold of Grape

Grape fruits with blue mold symptoms were collected from house storages in different locations in Korea and were investigated for their association with Penicillium species. A total of 12 isolates of Penicillium were isolated from the collected fruits. Based on morphological and cultural characteristics and beta-tublin gene sequence data analysis, they were identified as P. bialowiezense, P. citrinum, P. echinulatum, P. expansum, P. solitum and unidentified Penicillium species. P. solitum was the predominant followed by P. expansum. P. bialowiezense and P. echinulatum were newly recorded in Korea. beta-Tubulin gene sequences could be used to distinguish each species of Penicillium and the molecular groups were correlated well with the morphological species. The unidentified species was supposed to be a new species, not previously reported in literature.

Diversity of Endophytic Fungi Associated with Taraxacum coreanum and Their Antifungal Activity

Endophytic fungi were isolated from healthy leaf and root samples of Taraxacum coreanum. Of the 72 isolates recovered, 39 were from leaves and 33 from roots with an isolation frequency of 54% and 46%, respectively. Based on ITS sequence analysis, 72 isolates were classified into 19 genera of which 17 were under the phylum Ascomycota and 2 were under Basidiomycota. Diverse genera were found and Alternaria, Cladosporium, Fusarium and Phoma were dominant. Out of 19 genera, Apodus, Ceriporia, Dothideales, Leptodontidium, Nemania, Neoplaconema, Phaeosphaeria, Plectosphaerella and Terfezia were new to Korea. Seventy two isolates were screened for antifungal activity, of which 10 isolates (14%) were found active at least against one of the tested fungi. Isolate 050603 had the widest antifungal spectra of activity, and isolates 050592 and 050611 were active against three plant pathogenic fungi.