Botryosphaeria cocogena

Botryosphaeria cocogena is a species of fungus in the family Botryosphaeriaceae. It is a plant pathogen that primarily affects coconut trees, causing a disease known as stem bleeding.

Taxonomy

The species was first described in 1928 by mycologist E.J. Butler. It belongs to the genus Botryosphaeria, which comprises over 18 species of fungi. The name Botryosphaeria cocogena is derived from the Greek words botrys (meaning "grape") and sphaeria (meaning "sphere"), referring to the grape-like clusters of spores produced by species in this genus, and cocogena, referring to its primary host, the coconut tree.

Description

Botryosphaeria cocogena is characterized by its ascospores, which are typically hyaline, aseptate, and ellipsoid-ovoid in shape. The ascocarps are typically dark brown to black, spherical to subspherical, and have a roughened surface.

Pathogenicity

Botryosphaeria cocogena is a pathogen of coconut trees, causing a disease known as stem bleeding. This disease is characterized by the exudation of a reddish-brown liquid from the trunk of the tree, which gives the appearance of the tree "bleeding". The disease can cause significant yield loss in coconut plantations.

Management

Management of Botryosphaeria cocogena and the disease it causes involves a combination of cultural practices and chemical control. Cultural practices include the removal and destruction of infected trees to prevent the spread of the fungus. Chemical control involves the use of fungicides to kill the fungus.

See also

• List of coconut diseases
• Plant pathology

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