sexual morph of alternaria scirpivora (alternaria section nimbya) from iran

Species of the alternaria section nimbya are plant pathogens or saprophytes associated mainly with the plants in the cyperaceae and juncaceae families. until now, five species from this section have been reported in iran, but their sexual morphs have not been identified. in the present study, the sexual morph of alternaria scirpivora was induced under laboratory conditions on pca medium containing autoclave sterilized culms of scirpus acutus incubated at 23–25 ºc for 90 days. mature ascomata were formed after 2–3 months, containing asci and ascospores. the morphological characteristics of the sexual and asexual morphs are described and the phylogenetic relationships of a. scirpivora with closely related species are discussed. this is the first report of the sexual stage of this species in iran and asia.