Mycoparasitism of Ampelomyces quisqualis Ces. ex Schlecht on Powdery Mildew Fungi in Syria

The mycoparasite Ampelomyces quisqualis Ces. ex Schlecht is naturally parasitic on powdery mildew fungi. The survey at different sites in the coastal regions of Syria showed that the Ampelomyces quisqualis was found parasitizing and overwintering in the winter on 13 powdery mildew species, which were infecting 15 host plants, while the overwintering structures of A. quisqualis was absent in the winter on 26 powdery mildew species, which were infecting 55 host plants in different regions. The percentage infection (%) and infection frequency (%) of A. quisqualis varied between fungal and plant hosts.The results also revealed that the young rather than mature cleistothecia were most likely to be infected by A.quisqualis. Overall, 15 powdery mildew species were infected and four species were not.The microscopic study showed morphological differences in the forms and dimensions of A. quisqualis pycnidia on different fungal species and plant hosts, while morphological variation of the conidia spores was low.