The total sterol composition of conidia of the obligate plant pathogen Blumeria (= Erysiphe) graminis f.sp. tritici has been analysed as a function of their ontogeny during sporulation. Two main classes of sterols were characterized: 24-ethylsterols (24-ethylcholesta-5,22-dienol, 24-ethylcholesterol, and Δ5-avenasterol) and 24-methylsterols (24-methylenecholesterol and episterol). Our results show that sterol composition is greatly modified during ontogeny of B. graminis conidia both at the qualitative and quantitative levels. In particular, 24-methylsterols, e.g., 24-methylenecholesterol and episterol, are the major sterols in old conidia whereas 24-ethylsterols, e.g., 24-ethylcholesta-5,22-dienol, 24-ethylcholesterol, and Δ5-avenasterol, are the main sterols in young conidia.Key words: Erysiphe, wheat powdery mildew, sterols, ontogeny.
