Proof of pathogenicity of Crinipellis perniciosa to Theobroma cacao by using basidiospores produced in in vitro culture. In: Theobroma v. 13 p. 157-163, 1983.

Abstract

Basidiocarps of Crinipellis perniciosa were produced in vitro, and adult plants of Theobroma cacao grown in a greenhouse were inoculated with basidiospores from these basidiocarps. Two witches' brooms devoloped, and mycelial isolates from them were identical to single basidiospore cultures derived from the basidiospore inoculum. Basidiocarps with mature basidiospores developed on these witches' brooms. Basidiospore cultures from these basidiocarps were similar in all respects to single basidiospore cultures derived from in vitro basidiospores, as well as single basidiospore cultures from basidiocarps produced on nonliving witches' brooms from Brazil and Ecuador. Basidiocarp also developed on mycelial mats of isolates from witches' broom induced by in vitro basidiospores. Thus, irrefutable evidence has been presented that establishes Crinipellis perniciosa as the fungal pathogen that causes the witches' broom disease of Theobroma cacao.