The strain of the pathogen used in this study was S. reilianum
isolated from teliospores obtained from corn crops in the state of
Hidalgo, central Mexico, in 2008.
The fungal strain was grown in Petri dishes containing potato
dextrose agar medium (PDA Difco™) and YEPD solid medium (1%
yeast extract, 2% peptone, 2% dextrose, and 2% agar). The plates
were maintained at 28 C for 8 days. The fungus was stored in
tubes with PDA and mineral oil at ambient temperature.