Cylindrocladium clavatum

Cylindrocladium clavatum is a species of fungus in the family Nectriaceae. It is a plant pathogen that causes diseases in a variety of plant species.

Taxonomy

The species was first described in 1961 by the mycologists R.W. Barreto and J.A. Samuels. The genus name Cylindrocladium refers to the cylindrical shape of the conidia, while the species epithet clavatum means "club-shaped", referring to the shape of the conidiophores.

Description

Cylindrocladium clavatum is characterized by its club-shaped conidiophores and cylindrical conidia. The conidiophores are typically 50-100 µm in length and 3-5 µm in width. The conidia are typically 30-50 µm in length and 3-5 µm in width. The fungus produces asexual spores in structures called pycnidia.

Distribution and habitat

Cylindrocladium clavatum is found worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. It is commonly found in soil and plant debris, and can also be isolated from the roots of various plant species.

Pathogenicity

Cylindrocladium clavatum is a pathogen of a variety of plant species, causing diseases such as root rot, leaf spot, and stem canker. The fungus infects the plant through the roots, causing wilting and yellowing of the leaves, and eventually death of the plant.

Management

Management of Cylindrocladium clavatum involves a combination of cultural practices, chemical control, and biological control. Cultural practices include crop rotation and sanitation to reduce the amount of inoculum in the soil. Chemical control involves the use of fungicides, while biological control involves the use of beneficial microorganisms that can suppress the growth of the fungus.

See also

• List of Cylindrocladium species
• Plant pathology