Graminicolous Fungi of Virginia: Fungi in Collections 1995-2003

Abstract

Fungus-grass associations recognized in Virginia from 1995 to 2003 are recorded. Many associations are new to the United States (59), eastern United States (2), and Virginia (21 ); others extend the known distribution for those previously discovered. These reports contribute to the natural history of Virginia. INTRODUCTION This report describes collections of fungi identified on members of Poaceae in Virginia since 1995 when such collections were last described (Roane & Roane, 1994, 1996, 1997). Our objectives and procedures were described in those reports but will be summarized here. When a grass bearing fungi was studied, samples were incubated 2 4 days in a moist chamber, and all sporulating fungi were identified using manuals and monographs cited. Any fungus not listed by Farr et al. (1989) and Farr et al. (no date) was presumed to be a new record for the U.S.A. (NR, U), east of the Mississippi (NR, EU), or for Virginia (NR, V). Most of the fungi found have been described before on some host but a new host for a fungus implies a new record. No fungi were cultured and no attempt was made to establish or prove pathogenicity; only presence was established. Where material was adequate, a dried original specimen was preserved along with dried incubated material. An acquisition number was assigned to each collection; R00-10 refers to collection 10 of 2000. Plant Clinic numbers refer to the year and specimen number sent to the V.P.I. & S.U. Plant Clinic (ex.: PL Cl. 00-351). Since no fungi were cultured, in general, nomenclature of grasses and fungi presented by Farr et al. ( 1989) was followed. Later revisions of nomenclature are noted. Because of their frequency in the text, Roane and Roane will be cited as R & R, Shoemaker and Babcock as S & B, and Ellis and Ellis as E & E; these are listed completely in the references. Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. Syn., Elytrigia repens (L.) Nevski quackgrass Ascomycotina: Claviceps purpurea (Fr.:Fr.) Tul., ergot. As stated previously (R & R, 1996), this fungus is widespread on A. repens; pseudosclerotia are readily observed on spikes approaching maturity. A specimen collected July 11, 2003 was received from a Fairfax Co. horse farm with the complaint that 30 horses were having neurological incoordination in early June, a time too early for the appearance of ergot peudosclerotia (R03-16, Pl. Cl. 03-689). Thus, horses were not suffering from ergotism. An additional collection was made July 22, 2003 near the Norfolk Southern Rwy. and Rt. 660 Virginia Jou nal of Sc ence, Vol. 55, No. 4, 2004 http://digitalcommons.odu.edu/vjs/vol55/iss4 140 VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE in Montgomery Co.; two other fungi were identified in this collection (R03-l 9). See below. Phaeosphaeria tritici (Garov.) Hedjar. was identified on collection R03-19 (see above). Ascospores were typical of Phaeosphaeria spp., being 13-21 X 3-5 μm, 3-septate, enlarged penultimate cell (S & B, 1985, p.1536). (NR, U). This fungus was found on Aegilops cylindric a in 1995 (R & R, 1996) and in 2003 on P anicum virgatum (see P. virgatum in this report). Basidiomycotina: Puccinia recondita Rob. ex. Desm., II, III, was collected July 22, 2003 near Rt. 660 and the N. S. Rwy. in Montgomery Co. (R03-19). Apparently this fungus is widespread on grasses in the Appalachian Highlands. It has been collected on about 20 species (R & R, 1996, 1997). Deuteromycotina Coelomycetes: Stagonospora nodorum (Berk.) Cast. & Germ., causing leaf spots and tip wilt, was collected Aug. 24, 2003 on Butt Mt. at the communication towers area, Giles Co. (R03-29). This fungus was long known as Septoria nodorum Berk. and is at times very damaging to wheat, especially as a cause of the glume blotch disease. It was reported on 8 other grasses by R & R (1996, 1997). Agrostis spp. bentgrass When one attempts to key out species of Agrostis, three species are difficult to distinguish (a) A. alba, (b) A. gigantea and (c)A. stolonifera. In Farr et al (1989), a and c are synonyms; b is called redtop, c is creeping bentgrass. Roane (1991) lists a and c as distinct species but does not recognize b. In Fernald (1950) a includes c; a and b are distinct. Hitchcock & Chase (1950) recognize a and c, but not b. On the advice ofT. J. Wieboldt, curator of the Massey Herbarium at V.P.I. & S.U., I have used b as the preferred name for all three. This is the only name appearing in Atlas Qf Virginia Elora (Harvill, 1992). In the list of fungi, Agrostis spp. will be referred to by number: 1. Agrostis canina L. velvet bentgrass. 2. A. gigantea Roth (including A. alba L., A. palustris Huds., A. stolonifera L.) redtop, creeping bentgrass .. 3. A. hiemalis (Walter) B.S.P. (Also spelled A. hyemalis) hairgrass, winter bentgrass. 4. A. perennans (Walter) Tuck. autumn bentgrass. 5. A. tenuis Sibth. (= A. capillaris) colonial bentgrass. Ascomycotina: Sclerotinia homoeocarpa F. T. Bennett, causing dollar spot of bent and other grasses, is reported in Virginia by Farr et al. (1989) on 1, 2, & 5, who cites Sprague (1950) as the source. Although I have not collected it, several specimens have been received by the Plant Clinic over the years. Basidiomycotina: Puccinia coronata Cda., II, III, crown rust, was collected on 2 at the Butt Mt. communication tower area, Giles Co., Aug. 24, 2003 (R03-33a). Farr et al. (1989) list Agrostis spp. as hosts in Kentucky and West Virginia, not Virginia. R & R (1996) reported it on 2 and 4. Co (N