Phenotypic differences between vacuma and transposa subpopulations of Botrytis cinerea

One hundred and twenty-one single-spore strains of Botrytis cinerea isolated from Bordeaux vineyards were molecularly characterized as either transposa or vacuma, two subpopulations of B. cinerea distinguished by the presence of transposable elements. Forty-three vacuma and 68 transposa strains were distributed into two main classes (mycelial or sclerotial) by morphological phenotype according to the organ of origin. Strains isolated from overwintering sclerotia produced exclusively sclerotial colonies. The mycelial growth rate of 21 transposa and 13 vacuma strains was significantly influenced by agar-medium and temperature. The mycelial growth rate was significantly strain-dependent at favourable temperatures (15, 20 and 25degreesC), but not at limiting ones (5 and 28degreesC): vacuma strains showed the fastest growth rates. The strains of the two subpopulations were similar in virulence on both host species tested (Vitis vinifera and Nicotiana clevelandii). The grapevine leaves were significantly more susceptible to B. cinerea than those of tobacco. A significant negative correlation was established between virulence and mycelial growth rate. The epidemiological consequences concerning population structure of B. cinerea in vineyards are discussed.