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Some interesting species of the genus Ascochyta

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 ACTA MYCOLOGICA
Vol. 46 (2): 187–200
2011

Some interesting species of the genus Ascochyta

EWA POŁEĆ and MAŁGORZATA RUSZKIEWICZ-MICHALSKA

Department of Mycology, University of Łódź, Banacha 12/16

PL-90-237 Łódź, ewa_polec@op.pl

Połeć E., Ruszkiewicz-Michalska M.: Some interesting species of the genus Ascochyta. Acta
Mycol. 46 (2): 187–200, 2011.
The paper presents eleven species of Ascochyta recently collected in central and southern
part of Poland. Two of them, Ascochyta bondarceviana Melnik and Ascochyta equiseti (Desm.)
Grove noted in Poland for the first time, are illustrated with microphotographs. In addition,
nine other species are newly reported on their host plants species in the country. Short
characteristics of the fungi species based on the collected specimens and the distribution
maps of all fungi taxa are presented.
Key words: micromycetes, anamorphic fungi, Phoma, coelomycetes, plant parasites, Poland

INTRODUCTION

The genus Ascochyta, one of the largest (over 1 400 names) and the most important
genera of anamorphic fungi, was often examined since its description by Libert in
1830. As a result, many species were reallocated to other genera at the beginning of
20th century, and some of them (e.g., Ascochytella Tassi and Ascochytula Died.) were
later re-synonymized with Ascochyta (Buchanan 1987). The great interest in this
genus stems from the fact that its members are the parasites of numerous cultivated
and wild plants, causing diseases of economically important taxa (Melnik 2000).
Ascochyta anamorphs are characterized by unilocular, glabrous, ostiolate, pycnid-
ial conidiomata and usually uniseptate, hyaline to pale-coloured conidia. The known
teleomorphs are placed mainly in Didymella Sacc. (Pleosporales) (Kirk et al. 2008),
and according to Melnik (2000) and Index Fungorum (www.indexfungorum.org) some
Ascochyta species are also linked to two other ascomycetous genera, namely Lepto­
sphaeria Ces. & De Not. (Pleosporales) and Mycosphaerella Johanson (Capnodiales).
The genus Ascochyta was the subject of the monographic studies worldwide
(Punithalingam 1979, 1988; Melnik 2000). The 72 species recorded in Poland were
examined by Sałata (2002) and 60 other species included in his monograph were
188 E. Połeć and M. Ruszkiewicz-Michalska

known from the neighbouring countries, and were thus expected to occur also in Po-
land. Due to new findings (Chlebicki 2002; Mułenko, Wojdyło 2002; Kowalski 2004;
Piątek, Wołczańska 2004; Kozłowska, Mułenko 2005; Ruszkiewicz-Michalska 2006;
Wołczańska 2010) and the comprehensive literature survey (Mułenko, Kozłowska
2008), 60 other species have been reported from our country during the next 10
years. In total, 132 species of this genus are currently known to occur in Poland,
some of which were predicted by Sałata (2002), e.g., A. aristolochiae Sacc., A. trans­
lucens Kabát & Bubák and A. urticae A.L. Sm. & Ramsb.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The analysed material has been collected mostly as a result of the systematic studies
of plant parasitic micromycetes carried out in urbicoenoses of the Łódź city (Połeć
2010). The fresh specimens mounted in Lactophenol Picric acid Solution (Fluka)
were examined using the microscopes Nikon Eclipse E200 and Nikon Eclipse 50i;
measurements of the morphological structures were made also in tap water. Micro-
photographs of morphological structures of the species new for Polish mycobiota
were taken with a Nikon DS-F1 digital camera.
The base for identification of host plants and fungi were the keys by Szafer,
Kulczyński and Pawłowski (1986) and Rutkowski (2004), and taxonomic mono-
graphs by Melnik (2000) and Sałata (2002), respectively. The nomenclature of fungi
taxa is given after Mułenko and Kozłowska (2008) while the nomenclature of hosts
follows checklist by Mirek et al. (2002).
Available literature data were analysed and the distribution maps of all the spe-
cies listed were prepared. The vouchers representing current collections are depo­
sited in the Herbarium Universitatis Lodziensis (LOD) in the series of parasitic fungi
labeled as PF.

RESULTS

As a result of the studies, eleven interesting species of the genus Ascochyta were iden-
tified, including two taxa new for Polish mycobiota, namely Ascochyta bon­darceviana
Melnik (on Ribes sp.) and A. equiseti (Desm.) Grove (on Equisetum arvense L.), both
belonging to the subgenus Ascochyta. Nine other species are noted for the first time
on host plant in Poland: Ascochyta daturae Sacc., A. doronici Allesch., A. euphrasiae
Oudem., A. infuscans Ellis & Everh., A. lamiorum Sacc., A. leonuri Ellis & Dearn.,
A. sodalis Naumov, A. sonchi (Sacc.) Grove and A. verbascina Thüm. These are clas-
sified by Melnik (2000) in the Ascochyta subgenus Libertia Melnik, characterized by
consistently single, central or sometimes displaced septum. The majority of the hosts
are wild plants, three species are cultivated and one, Galinsoga parviflora Cav., is an
alien and expansive element in European flora (DAISIE).
 Interesting Ascochyta species 189

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIES

Ascochyta bondarceviana Melnik

Leaf spots circular, mostly isolated and visibly separated, mostly 2.0-4.0 mm
wide, pale yellow. Pycnidia pale brown, scattered, immersed, lentiform, 125.0-147.5
x 132.5-155.0 μm, with a circular pore, 25.0 μm in diam., surrounded by small dark
cells. Conidia cylindrical or ellipsoidal, both ends rounded, straight or slightly flexu-
ous, 0-2-septate, 10.0-12.5 x 5.0 μm. (Fig. 1A, B). Morphological features of the
specimens generally correspond to those described by Melnik (2000).

A B

C D
Fig. 1. Ascochyta species new to Polish mycobiota. A, B – Ascochyta bondarceviana (A – pyc-
nidium, B – conidia mounted in lactophenol picric acid solution); C, D – Ascochyta equiseti
(C – pycnidium, D – conidia mounted in lactophenol picric acid solution).
Scale bars: A, C = 25 μm; B, D = 10 μm.
190 E. Połeć and M. Ruszkiewicz-Michalska

Fig. 2. Distribution of Ascochyta spe-

cies in Poland: 1– Łódź, 2 – Masurian
Lakeland, 3 – Wyżyna Częstochowska
Upland, 4 – Kraków, 5 – Tatra Mts, 6
– Słowiński National Park, 7 – Radom.

Material examined. On Ribes L. sp., Central Poland, Łódź, Staromiejski park, park
alley, cultivated, 08 June 2007 & 11 June 2008, leg. E. Połeć, LOD PF 3106, 3107 (Fig. 2).
Notes. The species is known on the members of the Grossulariaceae family:
Grossularia acicularis (Sm.) Spach, Ribes nigrum L., R. rubrum L. and R. uva-crispa
L. from Europe (Bulgaria, Russia) and Asia (Kazakhstan) (Melnik 2000; Farr et al.
2011). The species has been observed in Poland for the first time.
Ascochyta daturae Sacc.
= A. solanicola Oudem.
Leaf spots circular or irregular, brown to dark brown. Pycnidia on leaves and
on other parts of host plants, scattered or aggregated, sometimes numerous and
confluent, semi-immersed, from light to dark brown, globose, globose-depressed or
lentiform, 117.5-172.5 x 127.5-175.0 μm, with a circular pore, up to 25.0 μm in diam.,
surrounded by small dark cells. Conidia cylindrical, oblong-ellipsoidal or slightly
clavate, straight or slightly bent, 1-septate, not or slightly constricted, 7.5-10.0 x 2.5-
3.9 μm. Morphological features of the specimen generally correspond to those given
by Melnik (2000). In pycnidia there is however a contribution of unicellular conidia,
5.0-7.5 x 2.5 μm.
Material examined. On Physalis alkekengi L., Central Poland, Łódź, Botanical
Garden, Sect. of medicinally and industrially important plants, cultivated, 02 Sep.
2004, leg. E. Połeć, LOD PF 3132.
Notes. The distribution of Ascochyta daturae is circumglobal (Melnik 2000; Farr
et al. 2011). The species has been noted on living and dry leaves and on other parts
of host plants of the Solanaceae family. In Poland (Fig. 2) it has been so far recorded
only on Solanum dulcamara L. as Ascochyta solanicola Oud. from alder forest at the
Jezioro Warniak Lake and from thickets at the Jezioro Warpuńskie Lake at the Ma­
surian Lakeland (Durska 1974; Sałata 2002). It has been noted on Physalis alkekengi
L. for the first time in Poland.
 Interesting Ascochyta species 191

Ascochyta doronici Allesch.

Leaf spots circular, oval or irregular, ochraceous, brown or grey-brown. Pycnidia
scattered, sometimes aggregated, often confluent, immersed or erumpent, pale to
dark brown, sometimes almost black, globose-depressed or lentiform, up to 125.0
μm in diam., with a circular pore, 15.0 μm in diam. Conidia cylindrical or oblong-
ellipsoidal, both ends rounded, straight or slightly bent, 1-septate, not or somewhat
constricted, 10.0-12.5 x 2.5-3.75 μm. Morphological features of the specimen gener-
ally correspond to those mentioned by Melnik (2000).
Material examined. On Achillea millefolium L. s. str., Central Poland, Łódź,
Sielanka park, 15 July 2005, leg. M. Jakiel, LOD PF 2152.
Notes. Worldwide, Ascochyta doronici has been observed on leaves, stems, fruits
and seeds of members of 39 genera of the Asteraceae family. The distribution of the
species is circumglobal (Melnik 2000; Farr et al. 2011). In Poland (Fig. 2) it is so
far known on Artemisia vulgaris L. from the Parkowe nature reserve near Złoty Po-
tok on the Wyżyna Częstochowska Upland (Ruszkiewicz-Michalska 2006), on Hie­
racium polonicum Błocki from Botanical Garden in Kraków (Piątek, Wołczańska
2004), on Homogyne alpina (L.) Cass. from the Tatra Mts (Mułenko, Kozłowska and
Sałata 2004). From more then one locality the species is known only on Taraxacum
officinale F. H. Wigg.: from Radom, Słowiński National Park and Złoty Potok on
the Wyżyna Częstochowska Upland (Adamska 2001; Ruszkiewicz-Michalska 2006;
Sałata 2002; Sałata, Mułenko and Wołczańska 1994). It has been recorded on Achil­
lea millefolium L. for the first time in Poland.
Ascochyta equiseti (Desm.) Grove
Leaf spots small, greyish white. Pycnidia on stems, scattered or arranged, immersed,
dark brown or black, oval or almost globose, 115.0-130.0 x 120.0-145.0 μm, with a cir-
cular pore 20.0-25.0 μm in diam. Conidia oblong-ellipsoidal, oval, both ends rounded,
straight, 1-septate, not or slightly constricted, 10.0-12.5 x 2.5-3.75 μm (Fig. 1 C, D).
According to the data of Melnik (2000) pycnidia are 200.0-800.0 μm in diam.
and conidia are (8.0-)10.0-16.0 x (2.5-)3.0-4.0(-4.5), while according to the charac-
teristics of Polish specimens given by Sałata (2002) pycnidia are smaller, reaching
160.0-220.0(-330.0) μm in diam. and conidia measure mainly (7.0-)10.0-15.0(-18.0)
x (2.5-)3.0-3.5(-4.0).
Material examined. On Equisetum arvense L., Central Poland, Łódź, Bolesława
Chrobrego residential area, park, 01 Oct. 2006, leg. D. Papierz, LOD PF 3025 (Fig. 3).
Notes. The species has been recorded on dead and dying leaves and stems of
Equisetum spp. from North America (USA) and many European countries (Melnik
2000; Farr et al. 2011). Although the species was expected by Sałata (2002), it has not
been observed in Poland yet.
Ascochyta euphrasiae Oudem.
Leaf spots circular or irregular, grey-brown or grey. Pycnidia scattered, im-
mersed, from yellowish to dark brown, globose-depressed and lentiform, 92.5-120.0
x 105.0-135.5 μm, with a circular pore, up to 20.0 μm in diam. Conidia cylindrical,
both ends rounded, straight, sometimes slightly bent, 1-2-septate, not or slightly con-
stricted, 8.75-12.5 x 2.5-3.75 μm.
According to the data of Melnik (2000) pycnidia are up to 200.0 μm in diam. and
conidia measure 7.0-12.0(-13.5) x 3.0-4.0, while according to the descriptions given
192 E. Połeć and M. Ruszkiewicz-Michalska

Fig. 3. Distribution of Ascochyta spe-

cies in Poland: 1 – Łódź, 2 – Słowiński
National Park, 3 – Konewka nature
reserve, 4 – Puławy, 5 – Lublin, 6 –
Bohukały.

by Sałata (2002) pycnidia are 100.0-200.0 μm in diam. and conidia are smaller, reach-
ing 7.0-12.0 x 2.5-4.0.
Material examined. On Digitalis grandiflora Mill., Central Poland, Konewka
nature reserve, Potentillo albae-Quercetum, 27 Sept. 2004, leg A. Kotynia, LOD
PF 2558.
Notes. The species has been noted on living leaves and dry stems of Scrophu­
lariaceae members: Antirrhinum majus L., Digitalis spp., Euphrasia officinalis Linn.,
Linaria vulgaris Mill., Scrophularia nodosa L., S. czernjakowskiana B. Fedtsch. in
Asia (Armenia, Kazakhstan) and many European countries (Melnik 2000; Farr et
al. 2011). In Poland (Fig. 3) it has been recorded so far only on Digitalis purpurea L.
in Puławy (Sałata 2002) and Botanical Garden in Lublin (Sałata et al. 1994; Sałata
2002) and on Linaria vulgaris Mill. in the Słowiński National Park (Adamska 2001).
It has been reported on Digitalis grandiflora Mill. for the first time in our country.
Ascochyta infuscans Ellis & Everh.
Leaf spots oval or irregular, ochraceous or brown. Pycnidia scattered or aggre-
gated, immersed, yellowish-brown or brown, globose-depressed or lentiform, 90.0-
162.5 x 97.5-165.0 μm, with a circular pore, up to 22.5 μm in diam., surrounded by
small dark cells. Conidia cylindrical, both ends rounded, straight or bent, 1-septate,
not or slightly constricted, 8.75-15.6 x 3.9 μm. Morphological features of these co-
nidia generally correspond to the dimensions given by Melnik (2000). In pycnidia
there is also a contribution of smaller, unicellular conidia, 3.75-7.5 x 1.25-2.5 μm.
Material examined. On Anemone sylvestris L., Central Poland, Łódź, Botanical
Garden, Sect. of Polish flora, cultivated, 08 July 2004, leg. E. Połeć, LOD PF 3133.
Notes. The species is known worldwide on Ranunculaceae members from Eu-
rope (Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Russia) and North America (Canada, USA) (Mel-
nik 2000; Farr et al. 2011). Seven other species of the genus Ascochyta are reported
to infect members of the Ranunculaceae family (Tab. 1). Four of them have been re-
corded in Poland so far: Ascochyta acteae, A. aquilegiae and A. dolomitica (Mułenko,
Kozłowska 2008), and Ascochyta infuscans collected only in association with Anemone
 Interesting Ascochyta species 193

Table 1
Ascochyta species associated with members of Ranunculaceae
(compilation based on the data given by Melnik 2000 and Farr et al. 2011)

Fungi species Host species Conidia (μm) Distribution

A. actaeae Actaea alba (L.) Mill., 12.0-28.0 Europe (Estonia, Germany,
(Bres.) Davis A. rubra (Aiton) Willd., x 5.0-7.0 Latvia, UK, Poland,
Ascochyta subgenus Ascohyta

A. spicata L., Cimicifuga Russia), North America

racemosa (L.) Nutt., (USA)
Delphinium elatum L.,
Hydrastis sp., Thalictrum
flavum L., T. minus L.
A. aquilegiae Aquilegia spp., 10.0-20.0 Europe (Austria,
(Rabenh.) Delphinium spp. x (3.0-)4.0-6.0 Belarus, Bulgaria, former
Höhn. Czechoslovakia, France,
Germany, Hungary, Italy,
Poland, Russia), Asia
(Armenia), North America
(USA), South Africa
(Zimbabwe)
A. aconitana Aconitum moldavicum 10.0-15.0(-18.0) Europe (Romania)
Melnik Hacq. x 4.5-6.3
A. dolomitica Atragene sibirica L., (10.0-)13.0-20.0 Europe (Austria, former
Kabát & Bubák Clematis alpina (L.) (-22.0) x 3.0-5.0 Czechoslovakia, Germany,
Mill., Clematis spp., Latvia, Poland, Romania),
Hepatica nobilis Schreb., Asia (Russia, Kazakhstan)
Ranunculus thora L.
A. infuscans Anemone nemorosa 8.0-15.0(-16.0) Europe (Bulgaria, former
Ascochyta subgenus Libertia

Ellis & Everh. L., A. ranunculoides x 3.0-4.5 Czechoslovakia, Poland,

L., Clematis vitalba Russia), North America
L., Helleborus odorus (Canada, USA)
Waldst. & Kit,
Pulsatilla vulgaris Mill.,
Ranunculus abortivus L.,
Ranunculus sp.
A. patagonica Aconitum septentrionale (6.5-)8.0-10.0 Europe (Bulgaria, Hungary,
Speg. Koelle, A. lycoctonum x 2.5-4.0 Russia), North America
L. emend. Koelle subsp. (Canada), South America
lycoctonum, Aconitum (Argentina)
sp., Anemone riparia
Fernald, Anemone
sphenophylla Poepp.,
Aquilegia sp.
A. savulescui Thalictrum minus L. 18.0-26.0 Europe (Romania)
Rădul. & Negru x 7.0-10.0
A. vitalbicola Clematis vitalba L. 15.0-18.0 Europe (Bulgaria, Spain)
Maire x 5.0-6.0

ranunculoides L. in Bohukały near Bug river valley (Danilkiewicz 1990; Sałata 2002)
(Fig. 3). Anemone sylvestris L. is a new host species for the fungus in Poland.
In addition, Ascochytella vitalbae (Briard & Hariot) Died. on the members of
Ranunculaceae (Clematis recta L. and C. vitalba L.) was reported from Poland. That
record was classified as Ascochyta indusiata Bres. (Mułenko, Kozłowska 2008); the
name is however considered to be a synonym of Phoma clematidina (Thüm.) Boere­
ma (Boerema et al. 2004).
Ascochyta lamiorum Sacc.
Leaf spots circular, oblong or irregular, yellow-brown, dark brown or grey-brown.
Pycnidia scattered or sometimes aggregated, immersed, light to dark brown, glo-
bose or globose-depressed, sometimes lentiform 107.8-150.0 x 110.0-172.5 μm, with
a circular pore, 15.0-17.5 μm in diam. Conidia predominantly cylindrical, sometimes
194 E. Połeć and M. Ruszkiewicz-Michalska

Fig. 4. Distribution of Ascochyta spe-

cies in Poland: 1 – Łódź, 2 – Wyżyna
Częstochowska Upland, 3 – Białowieża
National Park, 4 – Nowiny Horynieckie,
5 – Firlej, 6 – Zakrzów, 7 – Słowiński
National Park, 8 – Szczecin, 9 – Wola,
10 – Pieniny Mts, 11 – Czorsztyn.

oblong-ellipsoidal or slightly clavate, both ends rounded, straight or sometimes

slightly flexuous, 1-septate, not or slightly constricted, 7.5-11.25 x 2.5-3.75 μm.�����
Mor-
phological features of the specimens generally correspond to those described by
Melnik (2000).
Material examined. On Glechoma hederacea L., Central Poland, Łódź, Botani-
cal Garden, Sect. of Japanese garden, 18 July 2004, leg. E. Połeć, LOD PF 2483;
Sielanka park, 02 Aug. 2005, leg. M. Jakiel, LOD PF 2235.
Notes. The species has been noted on living leaves and dry stems of numerous
Lamiaceae members: Ajuga laxmannii (L.) Benth., A. reptans L., Ajuga sp., Ballota
nigra L., Clinopodium vulgare L., Coleobrookea oppositifolia Sm., Elsholtzia ciliata
(Thunb.) Hyl., E. densa Benth., Galeobdolon luteum Huds., Galeopsis tetrahit L.,
Glechoma hederacea L., Lallemantia iberica (MB) Fisch. et Mey. f. sulfurea, Lamium
album L., L. maculatum L., Lycopus europaeus L., Monarda fistulosa L., Ocimum
basilicum L., Phlomis alpina Pall., Ph. jailicola Klok., Ph. tuberosa L., Prunella vul­
garis L., Scutellaria altissima L., Teucrium lamifolium d’Urv. and Thymus pulegioides
L. in Asia (Armenia, China, Georgia, India and Kazakhstan) and many European
countries (Melnik 2000; Farr et al. 2011). In Poland (Fig. 4) Ascochyta lamiorum
has been so far observed on Galeobdolon luteum Huds. in Białowieża National Park
(Mułenko 1996; Faliński, Mułenko 1997) and in Parkowe and Sokole Góry nature
reserves on the Wyżyna Częstochowska Upland (Ruszkiewicz-Michalska 2006), on
Lamium album L. in Złoty Potok on the Wyżyna Częstochowska Upland (Ruszk-
iewicz-Michalska 2006) and on L. maculatum L. in Nowiny Horynieckie, Southern
Roztocze (Sałata et al. 1994; Sałata 2002). It is reported on Glechoma hederacea L.
for the first time in the country.
Ascochyta leonuri Ellis & Dearn.
= Ascochyta nepetae Davis
Leaf spots circular, later irregular, brown. Pycnidia scattered or aggregated in
the small, not very dense groups, immersed, ochraceous or brown to dark brown,
globose-depressed, 98.0-125.0 μm in diam., with a circular pore, 15.0-20.0 μm in
 Interesting Ascochyta species 195

diam., surrounded by small dark cells. Conidia cylindrical, both ends rounded,
straight or slightly flexuous, 0-1-septate, slightly constricted, 10.0-16.25 x 2.5-3.75
μm. Morphological features of the specimen generally correspond to those given by
Melnik (2000).
Material examined. On Mentha x citrata Ehrh. subsp. citrata, Central Poland,
Łódź, Botanical Garden, Sect. of medicinally and industrially important plants, cul-
tivated, 28 Aug. 2004, leg. E. Połeć, LOD PF 3134.
Notes. The species has been reported on Lamiaceae members: Lamium macula­
tum L., Leonurus cardiaca L., Mentha arvensis L., M. longifolia (L.) L., Nepeta cataria
L., N. mussinii Spreng. ex Henckel and N. pannonica L. from Asia, North America
and many European countries (Melnik 2000; Farr et al. 2011). In Poland (Fig. 4)
it is known to occur on Mentha arvensis L. in Firlej near Radom (Sałata et al. 1994;
Sałata 2002), Mentha x verticillata L. in Białowieża National Park (Mułenko 1996;
Faliński, Mułenko 1997), Nepeta cataria L. var. citriodora and Nepeta sp. in Zakrzów
near Koźle (Miczyńska 1966; Sałata 2002). As Mentha x citrata Ehrh. subsp. citrata
has not been listed among the species infected with Ascochyta leonuri (Melnik 2000;
Farr et al. 2011) it is presumably a new host of the fungus. According to Boerema et
al. (2004) Ascochyta nepetae is a synonym of Phoma nepeticola (Melnik) Dorenb. &
Gruyter.
Ascochyta sodalis Naumov
= Ascochyta plantaginis Sacc. & Speg., A. plantaginicola Melnik
Leaf spots oval or circular, sometimes irregular, yellowish or brown. Pycnidia
immersed, yellow-brown, circular or lentiform, 105.0-150.0 x 125.0-162.5 μm, with a
circular pore, 20.0 x 22.5 μm in diam., surrounded by small dark cells. Conidia cylin-
drical, both ends broadly rounded, straight, very rarely slightly bent, 1-septate, not
constricted, 7.5-10.0 x 2.5-3.0 μm. Morphological features of the specimens generally
correspond to those listed by Melnik (2000). In pycnidia there is also a contribution
of smaller, unicellular conidia, 5.5-7.5 x 2.5-3.0 μm.
Material examined. On Plantago intermedia Gilib., Central Poland, Łódź,
Piłsudskiego park, lawn, 24 June 2005, leg. E. Połeć, LOD PF 3135; South Poland,
Wola near Pszczyna, meadow of Molinion caeruleae alliance, 11 Oct. 2006, leg. A.
Myszka LOD PF 2871.
Notes. The species has been reported on living leaves of Plantaginaceae mem-
bers: Plantago aristata Michx., P. asiatica L., P. depressa Willd., P. major L. s. str., P.
media L., P. rugelii Decne. and Plantago sp. as well as Cyperaceae taxa: Carex arenaria
and Carex sp. from Asia (China, Kazakhstan), North America (USA) and many Eu-
ropean countries (Melnik 2000; Farr et al. 2011). In Poland (Fig. 4) it has been so far
observed only on Plantago major L. s. str. as Ascochyta plantaginis in the Słowiński
National Park (Adamska 2001), in the Pieniny Mts (Kućmierz 1976a, b, 1977), in
Szczecin city and its vicinity (Madej 1974).
It is reported on Plantago intermedia Gilib. for the first time. However, as P.
intermedia was previously included in Plantago major L. as subspecies intermedia
(DC.) Arcang., thus some of the records of Ascochyta sodalis on P. major may, in
fact, concern P. intermedia.
196 E. Połeć and M. Ruszkiewicz-Michalska

Ascochyta sonchi (Sacc.) Grove

= Ascochyta cirsii Died.
Leaf spots circular or oblong, brown. Pycnidia scattered or aggregated, some-
what erumpent, sometimes immersed, pale to dark brown or almost black, glo-
bose-depressed, 87.5-107.5 x 105.0-125.0 μm, with a circular pore, 25.0 μm in
diam. Conidia ellipsoidal, oblong-ellipsoidal, ovate, both ends rounded, straight,
sometimes slightly bent, 1-2-septate, not or slightly constricted, 6.25-11.25 x 2.5-
3.75 μm.
According to the data of Melnik (2000) pycnidia are up to 200.0(-250.0) μm
in diam. and conidia are (6.0-)8.0-10.0 x (2.0-)3.0-4.0(-5.0), while according to
the characteristics of Polish specimens given by Sałata (2002) pycnidia are 100.0-
200.0(-250.0) μm in diam. and conidia measure mainly (6.0-)8.0-10.0(-11.5) x (2.0-
)3.0-4.0(-5.0).
Material examined. On Galinsoga parviflora Cav., Central Poland, Łódź, Ret-
kinia residential area, lawn, 11 Sept. 2008, leg. E. Połeć, LOD PF 3136.
Notes. Ascochyta sonchi has been reported on living leaves and dry stems of
Asteraceae members: Achillea millefolium L. s. str., Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh.,
Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop., C. helenioides (L.) Hill, Inula britannica L., I. conyza
DC., Ligularia tussilaginea (Burm. f.) Makino var. formosana Hayata, Onopordum
acanthium L., Sonchus arvensis L., S. asper (L.) Hill, S. oleraceus L. and Sonchus
sp. from Asia (Japan, Russia) and many European countries (Melnik 2000; Farr
et al. 2011).
In Poland (Fig. 5) it has been so far observed on Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.
as Ascochyta cirsii near Gubin (Diedicke 1915) and on C. oleraceum (L.) Scop. in
Białowieża National Park (Mułenko 1996; Faliński, Mułenko 1997). It is reported
on G. parviflora for the first time in Poland. According to Aveskamp et al. (2010) this
species is a synonym of Boeremia (=Phoma) exigua (Desm.) Aveskamp, Gruyter &
Verkley var. exigua.

Fig. 5. Distribution of Ascochyta spe-

cies in Poland: 1 – Łódź, 2 – Gubin,
3 – Białowieża National Park, 4 – �����
Prze-
lewice������������������������������
, 5 – Wyżyna Częstochowska Up-
land.
 Interesting Ascochyta species 197

Ascochyta verbascina Thüm.

Leaf spots oval or irregular, light brown or whitish. Pycnidia scattered or aggre-
gated in the small groups, immersed, pale yellow, brown to almost black, globose-
depressed and lentiform, 92.5-107.5 x 102.5-172.5 μm, with a circular pore, 20.0-25.0
μm in diam., surrounded by small dark cells. Conidia cylindrical, both ends rounded,
straight or slightly bent, 0-1-septate, not constricted, 6.25-10.0 x 2.2-2.5 μm. Morpho-
logical features of the specimen generally correspond to those described by Melnik
(2000).
Material examined. On Veronica chamaedrys L. s. str., Central Poland, Łódź,
Łagiewnicki forest, roadside, 06 Oct. 2006, leg. E. Połeć, LOD PF 3137.
Notes. The species has been noted on living leaves and dry stems of Scrophularia­
ceae members: Rhinanthus minor L., Verbascum blattaria L., V. densiflorum Bertol.,
V. nigrum L., V. sinuatus L., Verbascum sp., Veronica beccabunga L., V. chamaedrys
L. s. str., V. officinalis L. and V. urticifolia Jacq., as well as on Lamiaceae representa-
tive – Scutellaria altissima L. from Europe (Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, Latvia, Rus-
sia, Ukraine) (Melnik 2000; Farr et al. 2011). In Poland (Fig. 5) it has so far been ob-
served on Verbascum densiflorum Bertol. in the dendrological garden in Przelewice
(near the Szczecin city) (Madej 1969; Sałata 2002), and on V. lychnitis L. and Veronica
sp. in Olsztyn near Częstochowa on the Wyżyna Częstochowska Upland (Połeć 2005;
Ruszkiewicz-Michalska 2006). It is recorded on Veronica chamaedrys L. s. str. for the
first time in Poland.

FINAL REMARKS

Although the genus Ascochyta has been monographed in Poland quite recently
(Sałata 2002), 60 new species for Poland were reported within the following years
(Mułenko, Kozłowska 2008; Wołczańska 2010). The recent finding of eleven inter-
esting species of this genus, including two new for Poland, also proves that further
investigations in natural and anthropogenic habitats are needed.
The taxonomy of Ascochyta species changes in time. According to Punithalingam
(1988) 1-septate conidia are the norm for the genus Ascochyta. However, the oc-
currence of a small percentage of unicellular and 2-septate conidia is possible and
it does not exclude the species from the genus. The subgenus Ascochyta is charac-
terized with the admixture of 3-4-celled conidia (Melnik 2000). In the opinion of
Boerema et al. (2004) mature conidia of true Ascochyta species are almost always
septate and their conidiogenesis differs from the one observed in Phoma species.
The conidia of Phoma taxa are always unicellular when released, but some of them
can become two- or more-celled by secondary septation.
According to Boerema et al. (2004) many taxa referred to as Ascochyta spe-
cies are, in fact, the members of Phoma genus. This concerns some of the species
presented in the current report: Ascochyta leonuri (= A. nepetae) is a synonym of
Phoma nepeticola (Melnik) Dorenb. & Gruyter as well as Ascochyta daturae and
Ascochyta sonchi are the synonyms of Boeremia exigua var. exigua. In the checklist of
198 E. Połeć and M. Ruszkiewicz-Michalska

Polish micromycetes these species are still numbered among the Ascochyta species
(Mułenko, Kozłowska 2008).
To distinguish members of the genus Ascochyta from Phoma species with second-
ary conidial septation, the in vitro studies are needed (Boerema et al. 2004). Thus,
the revision of the genus Ascochyta based on in vitro studies and molecular analyses
is necessary. Our observations indicate that some of the species included currently to
the genus Ascochyta may also belong to Phoma Fr. s.l. (e.g., Ascochyta infuscans and
Ascochyta sodalis), as in their pycnidia there is a contribution of unicellular conidia
of variable shape and size.
Acknowledgements. The authors are indebted to Professor Maria Ławrynowicz, Curator of the Fungal
Collection of Herbarium Universitatis Lodziensis (LOD), for permission to analyse herbarium materials.
They include single specimens collected by MSc students supervised by the second author: Aleksandra
Kotynia, Magdalena Jakiel, Danuta Papierz and Agnieszka Myszka, whose contribution is greatly ac-
knowledged. We are also grateful to two anonymous reviewers for valuable remarks on the manuscript.
The studies were partially supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (grant no N305 077
32/2708). The first author was also granted in the frame of the project “Scholarships to support innova-
tive doctoral research” by the European Social Fund and the Budget as a part of Integrated Regional
Operational Programme.

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200 E. Połeć and M. Ruszkiewicz-Michalska

Interesujące gatunki grzybów z rodzaju Ascochyta

Streszczenie

W pracy przedstawiono jedenaście gatunków mikroskopowych grzybów pasożytniczych nale-

żących do rodzaju Ascochyta (grzyby anamorficzne). Dwa z nich – Ascochyta bondarceviana
Melnik (na Ribes sp.) i Ascochyta equiseti (Desm.) Grove (na Equisetum arvense L.) – są nowe
dla bioty kraju, a pozostałe dziewięć gatunków stwierdzono na żywicielach, na których nie
były one dotąd obserwowane w Polsce. Grzyby te zostały zebrane w Polsce środkowej i połu-
dniowej, przy czym większość z nich została zaobserwowana na terenie Łodzi. Dla wszystkich
gatunków podano krótkie opisy cech struktur morfologicznych i rozmieszczenie, a gatunki
notowane w Polsce po raz pierwszy zostały również zilustrowane mikrofotografiami.

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