Cylindrocladium colhounii

Cylindrocladium colhounii is a species of fungus in the family Nectriaceae. It is a plant pathogen that primarily affects Eucalyptus species, causing leaf blight and shoot dieback. The fungus was first described in 1966 by the mycologists John Colhoun and John Cunningham.

Taxonomy

The species was first described in 1966 by John Colhoun and John Cunningham. The species name colhounii is in honor of John Colhoun. It belongs to the genus Cylindrocladium, which comprises around 70 species of fungi. The genus is characterized by its cylindrically shaped conidia.

Description

Cylindrocladium colhounii is a microfungus that produces cylindrically shaped conidia. The conidia are hyaline, smooth, and have 3–5 septa. The fungus also produces chlamydospores, which are thick-walled, dark, and spherical.

Pathogenicity

Cylindrocladium colhounii is a pathogen of Eucalyptus species. It causes a disease known as leaf blight, which is characterized by the browning and wilting of leaves. The fungus can also cause shoot dieback, where the shoots of the plant die back from the tips. The disease can lead to significant losses in Eucalyptus plantations.

Distribution

Cylindrocladium colhounii has a wide distribution and has been reported in several countries, including Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. It is particularly prevalent in areas where Eucalyptus species are grown in plantations.

Control

Control of Cylindrocladium colhounii involves the use of fungicides and cultural practices such as pruning and removal of infected plants. The use of resistant Eucalyptus varieties is also an effective strategy for managing the disease.

See also

• List of Eucalyptus diseases
• List of Cylindrocladium species