Genets of Typhula ishikariensis biotype A belonging to a vegetative compatibility group
Vegetative compatibility groups of Typhula ishikariensis biotype A include different isolates from various localities, and the most prevalent one (super vegetative compatibility group) was studied to reveal that this super group consisted of several genets existing throughout the habitat of T. ishikariensis biotype A in Hokkaido, Japan. Random amplified polymorphic DNA and mating incompatibility alleles were studied for 10 isolates belonging to the super vegetative compatibility group from two localities 250 km distant from each other and for five isolates belonging to different groups. Seven primers, which distinguished vegetative compatibility groups, were screened out of 60 and produced a total of 55 bands. The 10 super group isolates were divided into 5 subgroups, and the five unique isolates did not cluster with each other. Protoplasts were produced from each isolate to obtain monokaryons. They were then mated with tester monokaryons derived from basidiospores of two parental isolates, one of which belonged to the super vegetative compatibility group. Mating patterns suggested that the 10 super group isolates shared common mating incompatibility alleles but this was not the case with those belonging to unique groups. The super vegetative compatibility group was found to consist of several genets with many ramets distributed throughout the habitat of T. ishikariensis biotype A in Hokkaido. These genets were regarded as sib-related dikaryons derived from basidiospores. Keywords: Typhula ishikariensis, snow mold, genet, RAPD, mating incompatibility.