ID/Diagnostic: Multiple
Morphological: Pathogen may be identified morphologically by examination of the shape and size of conidia and conidiophores, color and type of colony, and temperature requirements (Samra et al., 1963).
PCR primers have been developed for differentiating H. maydis (=Cephalosporium maydis) from some of its relatives (Acremonium, Cephalosporium, Gaeumannomcyes, and Phialophora) (Saleh and Leslie, 2004). The PCR assay can be used as a preliminary screen for potential morphological positives. Final confirmation would occur via PCR and sequencing at a national diagnostic laboratory.
In Progress / Literature-based Diagnostics:
Molecular: Culture the fungus in complete medium (CM) broth and incubate on an orbital shaker for 3 days at room temperature. Harvest mycelia for DNA extraction.
Ward and Bateman (1999) use a pair of PCR primers that amplify a segment of the ribosomal gene locus from many members of the Gaeumannomyces and Phialophorafungal pathogens from maize and other host plants. The PCR product from Harpophora maydis (=Cephalosporium maydis) can be distinguished from that of other members of the group on the basis of its unique size (490 bp) relative to that of other species.