Septoria nodorum

Septoria nodorum is a fungal pathogen that causes a disease known as Septoria nodorum blotch (SNB) in wheat and other cereal crops. It is a significant problem in many wheat-growing regions around the world, causing yield losses and reducing grain quality.

Taxonomy

The fungus was first described in 1884 by mycologist Erik Adolf von Warming, who named it Septoria nodorum. It belongs to the Ascomycota division of fungi, which also includes many other important plant pathogens.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of Septoria nodorum involves both sexual and asexual reproduction. The fungus overwinters as mycelia or pycnidia in crop residues. In the spring, it produces ascospores that are dispersed by wind and rain to infect new plants. The fungus can also produce asexual spores called conidia, which can cause secondary infections throughout the growing season.

Disease Symptoms

The primary symptom of SNB is the appearance of dark, necrotic lesions on the leaves, stems, and glumes of infected plants. These lesions often have a yellow halo and may contain small black dots, which are the pycnidia of the fungus. In severe cases, the disease can cause significant defoliation and reduce grain yield and quality.

Management

Management of SNB involves a combination of cultural practices, genetic resistance, and fungicide applications. Cultural practices include crop rotation and residue management to reduce the amount of inoculum in the field. Breeding for genetic resistance is an important strategy, and several resistance genes have been identified in wheat. Fungicides can also be effective, but their use should be carefully managed to avoid the development of fungicide resistance.

See Also

• Fusarium head blight
• Stripe rust
• Powdery mildew

References

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