Cladosporium fulvum

Cladosporium fulvum is a fungal pathogen that causes tomato leaf mould. It is a member of the Cladosporium genus, which includes several other significant plant pathogens.

Taxonomy

The species was first described in 1865 by the mycologist Pierre-Arthur Moreau. It is classified within the Ascomycota phylum, the Capnodiales order, and the Cladosporiaceae family.

Description

Cladosporium fulvum is a hyphomycete, meaning it reproduces asexually through the production of conidia. The conidia are dark brown to black in color and have a smooth texture. They are typically borne in chains, with the youngest conidia at the base of the chain.

Pathogenicity

Cladosporium fulvum is a biotrophic pathogen, meaning it derives nutrients from living plant cells. It infects the leaves of tomato plants, causing a disease known as leaf mould. Symptoms of leaf mould include yellowing and wilting of the leaves, followed by the development of a velvety, olive-green mould on the underside of the leaves.

Management

Management of Cladosporium fulvum involves a combination of cultural practices and chemical control. Cultural practices include the use of resistant tomato varieties, crop rotation, and sanitation measures such as the removal of infected plant debris. Chemical control typically involves the use of fungicides.

See also

• List of tomato diseases
• Plant pathology