Phoma insidiosa

Phoma insidiosa is a species of fungus in the family Didymellaceae. It is a plant pathogen that causes diseases in a variety of crop plants.

Taxonomy

The genus Phoma is a large group of fungi with over 200 species. Phoma insidiosa is one of these species. The genus name Phoma comes from the Greek word for "pustule", referring to the characteristic lesions produced by these fungi on their host plants.

Description

Phoma insidiosa is a filamentous fungus, meaning it grows as a network of long, thread-like cells. It produces spores in structures called pycnidia, which are small, flask-shaped bodies embedded in the plant tissue. The spores are typically spread by wind or water.

Pathogenicity

Phoma insidiosa is a plant pathogen, causing diseases in a variety of crop plants. It is particularly damaging to legume crops, such as peas and lentils, but can also infect other types of plants. The fungus enters the plant through wounds or natural openings, and then grows inside the plant, causing necrosis (death of plant tissue) and lesions.

Management

Management of Phoma insidiosa involves a combination of cultural practices, such as crop rotation and sanitation, and the use of fungicides. Resistant varieties of crops can also be used to reduce the impact of the disease.

See also

• List of Phoma species
• Plant pathology