Didymella pisi sp. nov., the teleomorph of Ascochyta pisi

The anamorphic pycnidial fungus Ascochyta pisi is one member of a species complex that causes Ascochyta blight of pea, a potentially devastating disease. The teleomorphic state of this fungus was induced under laboratory conditions. Using morphological and molecular characters, we placed the teleomorph within the genus Didymella as D. pisi and describe a heterothallic mating system using a PCR-based mating type assay and in vitro crosses. We compare D. pisi with other Didymella spp. with which it might be confused.