Botryosphaeria berengeriana

Botryosphaeria berengeriana is a species of fungus in the family Botryosphaeriaceae. It is a plant pathogen that affects a variety of crops and plants worldwide.

Taxonomy

The species was first described in 1912 by French mycologist Jean Paul Émile Berenger-Féraud. The genus name Botryosphaeria comes from the Greek words botrys, meaning "bunch of grapes", and sphaeria, referring to the spherical shape of the spores. The species name berengeriana is in honor of Berenger-Féraud.

Description

Botryosphaeria berengeriana produces conidia that are hyaline, aseptate, and have a smooth texture. The mycelium is typically white to pale brown in color. The fungus forms black, spherical fruiting bodies known as pycnidia.

Pathogenicity

Botryosphaeria berengeriana is a necrotrophic pathogen, meaning it kills host tissue and then feeds on the dead material. It can cause a variety of diseases in plants, including cankers, dieback, and leaf spots. The fungus is particularly damaging to vineyards, where it can cause significant yield losses.

Management

Control of Botryosphaeria berengeriana typically involves a combination of cultural practices and chemical treatments. Cultural practices include pruning infected branches and improving air circulation to reduce humidity. Chemical treatments may include the use of fungicides.

See also

• List of Botryosphaeria species
• Plant pathology