Determination of morphometric, biochemical and genetic variation in Sclerotium delphinii isolates

Abstract

Variability among four isolates of Sclerotium delphinii isolated from infected diseased Khirni (Manilkara hexandra); chafa (Plumeria rubra acutifolia) and Jackfruit (Artocapus heterophyllus) plants of Western Maharashtra region of India were studied. This is the first report on presence of S. delphinii species in India. These isolates varied in colony morphology, mycelial growth rate, sclerotia formation period, sclerotia size and color. On the basis of morphological characters, these isolates were identified as S. delphinii and were also confirmed in Indian type culture collection (ITCC), New Delhi. In mycelial compatibility study, isolates of S. delphinii did not intermingle with Sclerotium rolfsii isolates indicating genetic variation among the species. The isolates of S. delphinii also showed distinct differences in their oxalic acid content. The classification and variability was further confirmed using molecular studies. It was observed that only morphological features and MCGs differentiated the Sclerotium species rather than molecular characterization because they shared some common bands of DNA at genetic level, but showed distinctness in morphological and MCGs study.