Selection for mating competence in Magnaporthe grisea pathogenic to rice

Sib selection for mating competence among isolates of Magnaporthe grisea that are pathogenic on rice has led to the selection of isolates where the mating type alleles are the only restriction on mating competence. Isolates are able to mate with all sibling isolates of opposite mating type and produce asci with ascospores. Isolates can function as male, female, or hermaphrodite in mating depending on the isolates with which they are mated. Mating competence is controlled by the genes in both mated isolates. Key words: mating competence, sib selection, rice blast, genetics.