Phyllosticta anacardiacearum

Phyllosticta anacardiacearum is a species of fungus in the family Mycosphaerellaceae. It is a plant pathogen that primarily affects members of the Anacardiaceae family, which includes plants such as cashews, mangoes, and poison ivy.

Taxonomy

The species was first described in 1911 by mycologist Hans Sydow. The genus name Phyllosticta refers to the Greek words for "leaf" and "spot", reflecting the characteristic leaf spots caused by these fungi. The species name anacardiacearum refers to the Anacardiaceae family of plants that it primarily affects.

Description and Identification

Phyllosticta anacardiacearum is characterized by its small, black, and spherical fruiting bodies that form on the leaves of host plants. The spores are hyaline and multi-septate, typically measuring 10-15 x 3-4 µm.

Pathogenicity

Phyllosticta anacardiacearum is a plant pathogen that causes leaf spot diseases in plants of the Anacardiaceae family. The fungus enters the plant through the leaves, where it forms black spots and eventually causes the leaves to fall off. This can lead to significant yield loss in affected crops, such as cashews and mangoes.

Management and Control

Management of Phyllosticta anacardiacearum primarily involves cultural practices such as regular pruning and removal of infected plant material. Fungicides may also be used to control the spread of the fungus.

See Also

• List of Phyllosticta species
• Plant pathology