Didymella pinodes: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 11:21, 15 February 2025

A fungal pathogen affecting legumes

Didymella pinodes is a fungal pathogen that primarily affects legumes, particularly pea plants. It is known for causing the disease commonly referred to as Ascochyta blight, which can lead to significant agricultural losses.

Morphology[edit]

Didymella pinodes is characterized by its production of pycnidia, which are small, flask-shaped fruiting bodies. These structures produce conidia, which are the asexual spores responsible for the spread of the fungus. The conidia are hyaline, elliptical, and typically measure 10-15 µm in length.

Life Cycle[edit]

The life cycle of Didymella pinodes involves both sexual and asexual stages. The sexual stage occurs when ascospores are produced within pseudothecia, which are larger fruiting bodies that develop on infected plant debris. These ascospores are released into the environment and can initiate new infections.

The asexual stage is marked by the production of conidia within pycnidia. These conidia are dispersed by rain splash and wind, leading to secondary infections throughout the growing season.

Symptoms[edit]

Infected plants exhibit a range of symptoms, including leaf spots, stem lesions, and pod rot. The leaf spots are typically dark brown with a concentric ring pattern. Stem lesions can girdle the stem, leading to wilting and plant death. Pod rot results in shriveled and discolored seeds, reducing yield and quality.

Epidemiology[edit]

Didymella pinodes thrives in cool, wet conditions, which facilitate the spread of conidia. The pathogen can survive on infected plant debris in the soil, serving as a source of inoculum for subsequent growing seasons. Crop rotation and removal of plant debris are essential management strategies to reduce the incidence of the disease.

Management[edit]

Effective management of Didymella pinodes involves an integrated approach, including the use of resistant cultivars, crop rotation, and fungicide applications. Monitoring environmental conditions and applying fungicides during periods of high risk can help control the spread of the pathogen.

Related pages[edit]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Didymella pinodes''' is a fungal pathogen that primarily affects [[pea]] crops. It is the causal agent of the disease commonly known as ''Ascochyta blight'', one of the most destructive diseases of peas worldwide.
+{{Short description|A fungal pathogen affecting legumes}}
+{{Taxobox
+| name = Didymella pinodes
+| image = D.pinodes_symptoms.jpg
+| image_caption = Symptoms of Didymella pinodes on pea plants
+| regnum = [[Fungi]]
+| phylum = [[Ascomycota]]
+| classis = [[Dothideomycetes]]
+| ordo = [[Pleosporales]]
+| familia = [[Didymellaceae]]
+| genus = [[Didymella]]
+| species = '''D. pinodes'''
+}}
-== Taxonomy ==
+'''Didymella pinodes''' is a fungal pathogen that primarily affects [[legumes]], particularly [[pea]] plants. It is known for causing the disease commonly referred to as [[Ascochyta blight]], which can lead to significant agricultural losses.
-The fungus was first described in 1927 by the mycologist [[Hans Wilhelm Wollenweber]] and has since been reclassified several times. It is currently placed in the genus ''Didymella'', which is part of the family [[Didymellaceae]] in the order [[Pleosporales]].
-== Description ==
+==Morphology==
-''Didymella pinodes'' is a [[necrotrophic]] fungus, meaning it kills host tissue and then feeds on the dead cells. It produces small, dark, flask-shaped fruiting bodies called [[pycnidia]], which contain numerous spores. These spores are spread by wind and rain splash, and can survive in soil and crop debris for several years.
+[[File:D.pinodes_symptoms.jpg|thumb|right|Symptoms of Didymella pinodes on pea plants]]
+Didymella pinodes is characterized by its production of [[pycnidia]], which are small, flask-shaped fruiting bodies. These structures produce [[conidia]], which are the asexual spores responsible for the spread of the fungus. The conidia are hyaline, elliptical, and typically measure 10-15 µm in length.
-== Disease cycle ==
+==Life Cycle==
-The disease cycle of ''Didymella pinodes'' begins when spores land on a susceptible host and germinate. The fungus penetrates the plant tissue, causing lesions and tissue death. The fungus then produces more spores, which are released and spread to new hosts. The disease cycle can occur multiple times in a single growing season.
+The life cycle of Didymella pinodes involves both sexual and asexual stages. The sexual stage occurs when [[ascospores]] are produced within [[pseudothecia]], which are larger fruiting bodies that develop on infected plant debris. These ascospores are released into the environment and can initiate new infections.
-== Management ==
+The asexual stage is marked by the production of conidia within pycnidia. These conidia are dispersed by rain splash and wind, leading to secondary infections throughout the growing season.
-Management of ''Didymella pinodes'' involves a combination of cultural practices, chemical control, and breeding for resistance. Cultural practices include crop rotation, sanitation, and avoiding overhead irrigation. Chemical control typically involves the use of [[fungicide]]s. Breeding for resistance is a long-term strategy that involves selecting and breeding pea varieties that are less susceptible to the disease.
-== Impact ==
+==Symptoms==
-''Didymella pinodes'' has a significant impact on pea production worldwide. It can cause yield losses of up to 50% in severe cases. The disease also reduces the quality of the harvested peas, which can affect their market value.
+Infected plants exhibit a range of symptoms, including leaf spots, stem lesions, and pod rot. The leaf spots are typically dark brown with a concentric ring pattern. Stem lesions can girdle the stem, leading to wilting and plant death. Pod rot results in shriveled and discolored seeds, reducing yield and quality.
+==Epidemiology==
+Didymella pinodes thrives in cool, wet conditions, which facilitate the spread of conidia. The pathogen can survive on infected plant debris in the soil, serving as a source of inoculum for subsequent growing seasons. Crop rotation and removal of plant debris are essential management strategies to reduce the incidence of the disease.
+==Management==
+Effective management of Didymella pinodes involves an integrated approach, including the use of resistant [[cultivars]], crop rotation, and fungicide applications. Monitoring environmental conditions and applying fungicides during periods of high risk can help control the spread of the pathogen.
+==Related pages==
+* [[Ascochyta blight]]
+* [[Legume]]
+* [[Fungal plant pathogens]]
 [[Category:Fungal plant pathogens and diseases]]
 [[Category:Didymellaceae]]
-{{plant-disease-stub}}