Phialophora malorum

Phialophora malorum is a species of fungus in the family Herpotrichiellaceae. It is a saprophytic fungus, meaning it feeds on dead or decaying organic matter. This fungus is known to cause diseases in various plants, including apple and pear trees, leading to significant agricultural losses.

Taxonomy

The genus Phialophora was first described by Hans Sydow and Paul Sydow in 1919. The species malorum was later added to the genus. The name malorum is derived from the Latin word for apple, malus, referring to the fungus's association with apple trees.

Description

Phialophora malorum is characterized by its dark, septate hyphae and its production of conidia in distinctive flask-shaped phialides. The conidia are hyaline and cylindrical in shape. The fungus grows optimally at temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius.

Pathogenicity

Phialophora malorum is a pathogen of several fruit trees, most notably apple and pear trees. It causes a disease known as canker, which results in the formation of sunken, necrotic lesions on the bark of the tree. If left untreated, the disease can lead to the death of the tree.

Management

Management of Phialophora malorum involves the use of fungicides and cultural practices such as pruning and removal of infected plant material. Resistance breeding is also an important strategy in the control of this pathogen.

See also

• List of apple diseases
• List of pear diseases