Botryosphaeria dothidea

Botryosphaeria dothidea is a fungal pathogen that affects a wide range of plant species. It is a member of the Botryosphaeriaceae family and is known for causing significant damage to agricultural crops and ornamental plants worldwide.

Taxonomy

The fungus was first described in 1813 by C.H. Persoon. It belongs to the Ascomycota division, the largest division of fungi, which includes more than 64,000 species. Within this division, B. dothidea is classified under the Dothideomycetes class, the Botryosphaeriales order, and the Botryosphaeriaceae family.

Description

Botryosphaeria dothidea is characterized by its dark, globose ascocarps and multi-septate, hyaline ascospores. The fungus produces conidia in its pycnidia, which are flask-shaped structures that serve as asexual fruiting bodies.

Pathogenicity

B. dothidea is a necrotrophic pathogen, meaning it kills host tissue and then feeds on the dead cells. It causes a variety of diseases, including cankers, dieback, and fruit rot. The fungus is particularly damaging to apple trees, where it causes a disease known as white rot.

Management

Control of B. dothidea involves a combination of cultural practices, biological control, and chemical treatments. Cultural practices include pruning and removal of infected plant material to reduce the source of inoculum. Biological control involves the use of beneficial microorganisms to suppress the pathogen. Chemical control includes the application of fungicides.

See also

• List of Botryosphaeria species
• Plant pathology