Pleospora tarda

Pleospora tarda is a species of fungus in the family Pleosporaceae. It is a type of ascomycete fungus, which is a large phylum of fungi that includes more than 64,000 species. Pleospora tarda is known for its role in plant disease, particularly in the infection of cereal crops.

Taxonomy

Pleospora tarda belongs to the genus Pleospora, which is a large genus of fungi in the family Pleosporaceae. The species name tarda is derived from the Latin word for "late", referring to the late appearance of its ascospores.

Description

The fungus forms fruiting bodies known as ascocarps, which are dark brown to black in color and spherical in shape. The ascocarps contain numerous asci, each of which typically contains eight ascospores. The ascospores are dark brown, elliptical, and have a thick wall.

Distribution and habitat

Pleospora tarda is found worldwide, particularly in temperate regions. It is commonly found on dead plant material, such as leaves and stems, where it plays a role in decomposition.

Pathogenicity

Pleospora tarda is a pathogen of several plant species, particularly cereal crops such as wheat and barley. It causes a disease known as leaf spot, which is characterized by the appearance of dark brown spots on the leaves of infected plants. The disease can result in significant yield losses if not properly managed.

Management

Management of Pleospora tarda involves a combination of cultural practices and chemical control. Cultural practices include crop rotation and the removal of infected plant material. Chemical control involves the use of fungicides.

See also

• List of Pleospora species
• Fungal plant pathogens and diseases
• Leaf spot