Exobasidium vexans

Exobasidium vexans is a species of fungus in the family Exobasidiaceae. It is a plant pathogen that primarily affects members of the Camellia genus, including the tea plant (Camellia sinensis). The fungus is known to cause a disease known as "blister blight" in tea plants, which can significantly impact tea production.

Taxonomy

The species was first described in 1907 by British mycologist Ernest Stanley Salmon. The genus name Exobasidium refers to the way the fungus grows externally on its host, while the species name vexans is derived from the Latin for "annoying" or "troublesome", reflecting its status as a plant pathogen.

Description

Exobasidium vexans is a basidiomycete fungus. It is characterized by its white, powdery appearance on the surface of infected leaves. The fungus produces spores on the surface of the leaf, which can be spread by wind or rain to other plants.

Pathology

Exobasidium vexans causes a disease known as blister blight in tea plants. The fungus infects the leaves of the plant, causing them to develop blisters and eventually fall off. This can lead to significant yield loss in tea plantations. The disease is most prevalent in regions with high humidity and rainfall, such as Assam, India and Sri Lanka.

Management

Management of Exobasidium vexans involves a combination of cultural practices and chemical control. Cultural practices include pruning and sanitation to reduce the amount of inoculum in the environment. Chemical control typically involves the use of fungicides. However, the fungus has shown resistance to some fungicides, making control challenging.

See also

• List of tea diseases
• Plant pathology