First report of Neurospora on Corylus avellana in natural forest of Iran

Teleomorph stage of the fungus Neurospora udagawae was formed abundantly on the culture media of potato dextrose agar, potato carrot agar and malt extract agar. Perithecia were visible on the culture medium and plant tissues (on the bark of tree) of hazelnut tree (Corylus avellana L.) from specimens of the Northwest forest of Iran. The fungus was identified for the first time in this area. The isolate was examined for its macroscopic and microscopic features and identified as nonconidiating species of Neurospora. Growth rate of the fungus hyphae was more than twice in 30 than 10 and 20°C. There was no growth at 5 and 40°C. This fungus is recorded here for the first time from hazelnut tree of Iran and so in the world. Key words: Neurospora udagawae, morphology, homothallic.