Cylindrocladium theae

Cylindrocladium theae is a species of fungus in the family Nectriaceae. It is a plant pathogen that primarily affects Camellia sinensis, the tea plant, causing a disease known as Cylindrocladium black rot (CBR).

Taxonomy

The species was first described in 1927 by mycologist Hans Wilhelm Wollenweber. The genus name Cylindrocladium refers to the cylindrical shape of the conidia, while the species epithet theae refers to its host plant, the tea plant.

Description

Cylindrocladium theae is characterized by its cylindrical, multi-celled conidia, which are borne on simple or branched conidiophores. The conidia are typically hyaline (transparent) and measure 30-60 x 3-5 µm. The fungus also produces chlamydospores, which are thick-walled, resistant structures that allow it to survive in adverse conditions.

Pathogenicity

Cylindrocladium theae is a significant pathogen of the tea plant, causing Cylindrocladium black rot. This disease is characterized by the rotting of roots and lower stems, leading to wilting and death of the plant. The fungus can survive in soil for several years, making it a persistent problem in tea plantations.

Management

Management of Cylindrocladium black rot involves a combination of cultural practices and chemical control. Cultural practices include the removal and destruction of infected plants, and the rotation of crops to reduce the amount of inoculum in the soil. Chemical control involves the use of fungicides, although the effectiveness of this method can be limited by the development of resistance in the fungus.

See also

• List of tea diseases
• Plant pathology