Botryosphaeria dothidea: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 16:32, 16 February 2025

Botryosphaeria dothidea[edit]

Botryosphaeria dothidea is a species of fungus in the family Botryosphaeriaceae. It is a plant pathogen that causes a variety of diseases in many different plant hosts, including fruit trees, ornamental plants, and forest trees. This fungus is known for causing cankers, dieback, and fruit rots, which can lead to significant economic losses in agriculture and horticulture.

Description[edit]

Botryosphaeria dothidea is characterized by its production of dark, pycnidial fruiting bodies on infected plant tissues. These fruiting bodies release conidia, which are asexual spores that spread the infection to new hosts. The conidia are typically hyaline, unicellular, and ellipsoid in shape.

Life Cycle[edit]

The life cycle of Botryosphaeria dothidea involves both sexual and asexual reproduction. The fungus overwinters in infected plant material, such as dead branches or fallen leaves. In the spring, the pycnidia release conidia, which are dispersed by rain splash or wind to new host plants. Under favorable conditions, the conidia germinate and infect the host through wounds or natural openings.

Symptoms[edit]

Infected plants exhibit a range of symptoms depending on the host species and environmental conditions. Common symptoms include:

Cankers on branches and stems, which may girdle and kill the affected parts.
Dieback of shoots and branches.
Leaf spots and blights.
Fruit rot, particularly in stone fruits such as peaches and plums.

Host Range[edit]

Botryosphaeria dothidea has a wide host range, affecting over 100 different plant species. Some of the most economically important hosts include:

Apple (Malus domestica)
Pear (Pyrus communis)
Peach (Prunus persica)
Grape (Vitis vinifera)
Eucalyptus species

Management[edit]

Managing Botryosphaeria dothidea involves a combination of cultural practices and chemical controls. Key management strategies include:

Pruning and removing infected plant material to reduce inoculum sources.
Improving air circulation and reducing humidity around plants to minimize infection.
Applying fungicides during periods of high risk, such as wet weather or during the growing season.

Related Pages[edit]

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-'''Botryosphaeria dothidea''' is a [[fungus|fungal]] [[pathogen]] that affects a wide range of [[plant]] species. It is a member of the [[Botryosphaeriaceae]] family and is known for causing significant damage to agricultural crops and ornamental plants worldwide.
+== Botryosphaeria dothidea ==
-== Taxonomy ==
+[[File:Botryosphaeria_dothidea.jpg|thumb|right|Botryosphaeria dothidea on a tree branch]]
-The fungus was first described in 1813 by [[Christiaan Hendrik Persoon|C.H. Persoon]]. It belongs to the [[Ascomycota]] division, the largest division of fungi, which includes more than 64,000 species. Within this division, ''B. dothidea'' is classified under the [[Dothideomycetes]] class, the [[Botryosphaeriales]] order, and the [[Botryosphaeriaceae]] family.
+'''Botryosphaeria dothidea''' is a species of fungus in the family [[Botryosphaeriaceae]]. It is a plant pathogen that causes a variety of diseases in many different plant hosts, including fruit trees, ornamental plants, and forest trees. This fungus is known for causing cankers, dieback, and fruit rots, which can lead to significant economic losses in agriculture and horticulture.
 == Description ==
-''Botryosphaeria dothidea'' is characterized by its dark, globose [[ascocarp]]s and multi-septate, hyaline [[ascospore]]s. The fungus produces [[conidia]] in its [[pycnidia]], which are flask-shaped structures that serve as asexual fruiting bodies.
-== Pathogenicity ==
+Botryosphaeria dothidea is characterized by its production of dark, pycnidial fruiting bodies on infected plant tissues. These fruiting bodies release conidia, which are asexual spores that spread the infection to new hosts. The conidia are typically hyaline, unicellular, and ellipsoid in shape.
-''B. dothidea'' is a [[necrotrophic]] pathogen, meaning it kills host tissue and then feeds on the dead cells. It causes a variety of diseases, including [[canker]]s, [[dieback]], and [[fruit rot]]. The fungus is particularly damaging to [[apple]] trees, where it causes a disease known as [[white rot]].
+== Life Cycle ==
+The life cycle of Botryosphaeria dothidea involves both sexual and asexual reproduction. The fungus overwinters in infected plant material, such as dead branches or fallen leaves. In the spring, the pycnidia release conidia, which are dispersed by rain splash or wind to new host plants. Under favorable conditions, the conidia germinate and infect the host through wounds or natural openings.
+== Symptoms ==
+Infected plants exhibit a range of symptoms depending on the host species and environmental conditions. Common symptoms include:
+* Cankers on branches and stems, which may girdle and kill the affected parts.
+* Dieback of shoots and branches.
+* Leaf spots and blights.
+* Fruit rot, particularly in stone fruits such as peaches and plums.
+== Host Range ==
+Botryosphaeria dothidea has a wide host range, affecting over 100 different plant species. Some of the most economically important hosts include:
+* [[Apple]] (''Malus domestica'')
+* [[Pear]] (''Pyrus communis'')
+* [[Peach]] (''Prunus persica'')
+* [[Grape]] (''Vitis vinifera'')
+* [[Eucalyptus]] species
 == Management ==
-Control of ''B. dothidea'' involves a combination of cultural practices, biological control, and chemical treatments. Cultural practices include pruning and removal of infected plant material to reduce the source of inoculum. Biological control involves the use of beneficial microorganisms to suppress the pathogen. Chemical control includes the application of [[fungicide]]s.
-== See also ==
+Managing Botryosphaeria dothidea involves a combination of cultural practices and chemical controls. Key management strategies include:
-* [[List of Botryosphaeria species]]
-* [[Plant pathology]]
+* Pruning and removing infected plant material to reduce inoculum sources.
+* Improving air circulation and reducing humidity around plants to minimize infection.
+* Applying fungicides during periods of high risk, such as wet weather or during the growing season.
+== Related Pages ==
+* [[Fungal plant pathogens]]
+* [[Canker diseases]]
+* [[Fruit rot]]
+{{Fungi}}
-[[Category:Fungal plant pathogens and diseases]]
+[[Category:Fungal plant pathogens]]
 [[Category:Botryosphaeriaceae]]
-{{Fungus-stub}}
-{{No image}}