Phyllosticta cucurbitacearum

Phyllosticta cucurbitacearum is a species of fungus in the family Mycosphaerellaceae. It is a plant pathogen that primarily affects members of the Cucurbitaceae family, which includes gourds, melons, and cucumbers.

Taxonomy

The species was first described in 1918 by American mycologist George Francis Atkinson. The genus Phyllosticta is characterized by its production of pycnidia, which are small, flask-shaped structures that produce spores. The specific epithet cucurbitacearum refers to the host plants of this species, which belong to the Cucurbitaceae family.

Description

Phyllosticta cucurbitacearum produces small, black, spherical pycnidia that are embedded in the plant tissue. The pycnidia produce conidia, which are the asexual spores of the fungus. The conidia are hyaline, smooth, and have a distinct shape that is useful for identification.

Pathogenicity

Phyllosticta cucurbitacearum is a pathogen of plants in the Cucurbitaceae family. It causes a disease known as Phyllosticta leaf spot, which is characterized by the appearance of small, circular, brown spots on the leaves of the host plant. The spots may coalesce to form larger areas of necrosis. The disease can cause significant yield loss in affected crops.

Management

Management of Phyllosticta cucurbitacearum involves a combination of cultural practices and chemical control. Cultural practices include crop rotation and the use of resistant varieties. Chemical control involves the application of fungicides.

See also

• List of Phyllosticta species
• Plant pathology