Lab 4: Neurospora (Ascomycete) crossing, Mucor (Zygomycete) dimorphism and Ustilago maydis (Basidiomycete)

************ Ustilago component On going************

Neurospora (Ascomycete) crossing, Mucor (Zygomycete) dimorphism  and Ustilago maydis (Basidiomycete)

The objective of this lab were:

i)                    Observation of different structures of Neurospora crasa

ii)                   Crossing Neurospora species invitro

iii)                 Observing dimorpism in Mucor spp.

iv)                 Inoculating corn plants with Ustilago maydis and observe disease progression over time

 Materials and Methods

Neuropsora crasa specimens were viewed under a microscope after preparing slides using the squash slide preparation.

Specimens of Mucor spp that had been plated on media were cut into a thin section presenting the upper layer and lower layer of the media

Crossess of Nerospora were made as follows:

SMRP10 X CSP 1 GFP
SMRP10 X SMRP11
SMRP11 X CSP1GFP

Results

Neurospora crasa

Neurospora crasa macrospores 

 

                                    


Cross results

SMRP10 X CSP 1 GFP

SMRP11 X CSP1GFP

                                                          SMRP10 X SMRP11

                                    

                                       Ustilago maydis on corn at 7 days after inoculation

                                            Ustilago maydis on corn at 7 days after inoculation

                               Stained corn leaf infected withUstilago maydis on corn at 7 days after inoculation

Discussion On going

We were not able to observe the dimorphism of Mucor spp in most samples. It was difficult to identify distinct dimorphisim in the two layers we only yeast form was observed with no hyphae stage observed. This was attributed to the fact that maybe the sample had not been cultured long enough, however when we waited to re examine the Mucor spp after some additinal days of culturing it was contaminated.

 
So far we have noticed gall like structures forming of the corn leaf signaling successful infection of the corn leaf by the pathogen Ustilago maydis.