Oidium tingitaninum

Oidium tingitaninum is a species of fungus in the family Erysiphaceae. It is a plant pathogen that primarily affects tomato plants, causing a disease known as powdery mildew. This fungus is prevalent in many parts of the world, particularly in regions with a warm and humid climate.

Taxonomy

The species was first described in 1933 by the French mycologist Robert Léger. The genus name Oidium is derived from the Greek word 'oidē', meaning 'like', and 'ium', a suffix used in taxonomy to denote a group or family. The species name tingitaninum refers to Tingitana, the ancient Roman name for the region of Tangier, where the fungus was first identified.

Description

Oidium tingitaninum is a hyphomycete fungus, characterized by its powdery appearance on the surface of infected plants. The fungus produces conidia (asexual spores) that are ellipsoid to cylindrical in shape and are typically borne singly on conidiophores (specialized fungal structures that produce and release conidia).

Pathology

Oidium tingitaninum is a obligate parasite, meaning it requires a living host to survive. The fungus infects the leaves, stems, and fruits of tomato plants, causing a disease known as powdery mildew. Symptoms of infection include the appearance of white, powdery spots on the surface of the plant, which can eventually cover the entire plant if left untreated. This can lead to significant yield loss in tomato crops.

Management

Management of Oidium tingitaninum involves a combination of cultural practices and chemical control. Cultural practices include the use of resistant tomato varieties, proper spacing of plants to improve air circulation, and removal of infected plant material. Chemical control typically involves the use of fungicides, such as sulfur and myclobutanil.

See also

• List of tomato diseases
• Powdery mildew

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