Polyscytalum
The genus Polyscytalum is a group of fungi that is important for its role as a pathogen of potatoes.[1]
| Polyscytalum | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi
|
| Phylum: | Ascomycota
|
| Class: | Ascomycetes
|
| Order: | Incertae sedis
|
| Family: | Incertae sedis
|
| Genus: | Polyscytalum
|
Habitat
The usual habitat of Polyscytalum fungi is the colder and damper regions of Europe and Asia.[2]
Disease
The fungus Polyscytalum pustulans (formerly known as Oosporia pustulans) can cause potato skin spot disease.[1][3] The infection most often enters the potato plant through the lenticel at the base of the base of the stem.[3] Once inside, the fungus will spread across the roots of the plant and infect any new potatoes the plant grows.[1] The infection results in raised circular patches of rot on the potato tubers. These only appear after around 6–12 weeks of storage.[3][1]
The disease is usually spread by planting infected potatoes in the ground. The fungus can also live in the soil for up to 5 years and then infect healthy potatoes directly from there.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Hide, G. A.. Infection of potato stem bases, stolons and tubers byPolyscytalum pustulans (Owen & Wakef.) Ellis and development of sclerotia (in en). Potato Research 37 (1) (1994-03-01). p. 35–42. doi:10.1007/BF02360430.
- ↑ Nagdy, G. A.. Susceptibility of potato varieties to skin spot (Oospora pustulans) in relation to the structure of the skin and eye (in en). European Potato Journal 8 (4) (1965-12-01). p. 200–214. doi:10.1007/BF02364289.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Allen, J. D.. THE DEVELOPMENT OF POTATO SKIN‐SPOT DISEASE (in en). Annals of Applied Biology 45 (2) (1957-06). p. 293–298. doi:10.1111/j.1744-7348.1957.tb00469.x.
- ↑ Carnegie, S. F.. Occurrence of Polyscytalum pustulans, Phoma foveata and Fusarium solani var. coemleum in field soils in Scotland (in en). Plant Pathology 39 (3) (1990-09). p. 517–523. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3059.1990.tb02528.x.