Calonectria theae

Calonectria theae is a species of fungus in the family Nectriaceae. It is a plant pathogen that primarily affects tea plants, particularly those of the species Camellia sinensis.

Taxonomy

Calonectria theae belongs to the genus Calonectria, which is part of the family Nectriaceae. The species was first described in scientific literature by the mycologist Hansford in 1949.

Description

The Calonectria theae fungus is characterized by its production of perithecia, which are flask-shaped structures that produce ascospores. These spores are the primary means of reproduction for the fungus. The perithecia of Calonectria theae are typically orange to red in color.

Pathogenicity

Calonectria theae is a pathogen of tea plants, causing a disease known as tea blight. This disease can result in significant yield losses for tea growers. The fungus infects the leaves of the tea plant, causing them to wilt and die.

Management

Management of Calonectria theae involves a combination of cultural practices and chemical control. Cultural practices include the removal and destruction of infected plant material to reduce the amount of inoculum in the environment. Chemical control typically involves the use of fungicides.

See also

• List of tea diseases
• Plant pathology