Relationships and taxonomic status of Alternaria radicina, A. carotiincultae, and A. petroselini based upon morphological, biochemical, and molecular characteristics

Alternaria radicina, A. carotiincultae, and A. petroselini are closely related pathogens of umbelliferous crops. Relationships among these fungi were determined based on growth rate, spore morphology, cultural characteristics, toxin production, and host range. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis of these species, other species of Alternaria, and closely related fungi was also performed. A. petroselini was readily differentiated from A. radicina and A. carotiincultae on the basis of spore morphology, production of microsclerotia, host range, and RAPD analysis. Alternaria radicina and A. carotiincultae were considerably more similar to each other than to A. petroselini, but could be differentiated on the basis of growth rate, spore morphology, colony morphology, and, to a limited extent, RAPD analysis. When grown on media having a high nutritional content, A. radicina produced a diffusible yellow pigment and crystals of the fungal metabolite radicinin. In contrast, A. carotiincultae produced little or no radicinin. However, when A. carotiincultae was grown on the same medium amended with radicinin, growth rate and colony and conidial morphology were more similar to those of A. radicina. These results suggest that the morphological differences between A. radicina and A. carotiincultae are due, at least in part, to radicinin production, and that these fungi are conspecific. Therefore, we propose that A. carotiincultae be considered a synonym of A. radicina.