Oomycota
The phylum Oomycota, alternatively called Peronosporomycetes currently comprises some 800-1000 species. The vegetative hypha: Although some members of the Oomycota grow as sac-like or branched thalli, most of them produce hyphae forming a mycelium. The hyphae of Oomycota are coenocytic, i.e. they generally do not form cross-walls (septa) except in old compartments or at the base […]
Plasmodiophora
Plasmodiophora brassicae: Plasmodiophora brassicae is the causal organism of club root or finger-and-toe disease of brassicas and was first described by Woronin (1878). The disease is common in gardens where brassicas are frequently grown, especially if the soil is acidic and poorly drained. A wide range of brassicaceous hosts is attacked, and root-hair infection of some […]
Myxomycetes:true(plasmodial) slimemoulds
The Myxomycetes (zool.: Myxogastrea) are by far the largest group of slime moulds, comprising some 800 species in 62 genera. These are the familiar slime moulds so common on moist, decaying wood and other organic substrata. They are also abundant in soil and may fulfil ecological functions which are as yet poorly understood. Vegetative phase […]
Spores of Fungi
The reproduction by means of small spores is a cornerstone in the ecology of fungi. Although a single spore may have a negligible chance of reaching a suitable substrate, spores may be produced in such quantities that even discrete substrates can be exploited by the species as a whole. Only a few fungi make do […]
Hyphae modifications
Whereas plants and animals form genuine tissues by their ability to perform cell divisions in all directions, fungi are limited by their growth as one-dimensional hyphae. None the less, fungi are capable of producing complex and characteristic multicellular structures which resemble the tissues of other eukaryotes. Further, instead of spacing themselves apart as during invasive […]
Fungi-Introduction
What are fungi? About 80 000 to 120 000 species of fungi have been described to date, although the total number of species is estimated at around 1.5 million This would render fungi one of the least-explored biodiversity resources of our planet. Almost all of us encounter fungi in our daily life, although some of […]
Penicillium
Genus Penicillium belongs to Ascomycetes group of fungi and is well known for its importance in antibiotic (penicillin) and food (cheese, meet products) industry. The name Penicillium is derived from the latin word “penicillus” meaning brush, which refers to a stalk bearing radiating chains of conidia resembling a broom. Penicillium produces typical asexual fruiting structures […]
Ascomycota
The phylum Ascomycota (colloquially called ascomycetes) is by far the largest group of fungi, estimated to include more than 32000 described species in 3400 genera. It is assumed that the majority of ascomycetes has yet to be discovered, and the total number of species may well be higher by a factor of 1020 or even […]
Albugo
Classification: Division: EUMYCOTA Subdivision: MASTIGOMYCOTINA Class: OOMYCETES Order: PERONOSPORALES Family: ALBUGINACEAE Genus: ALBUGO OCCURRENCE: Albugo is an obligate parasite on a number of flowering plants. It is represented by 25 species. Albugo candida a common species responsible for the disease “white rust” on the members of family Crucieferae. PLANT BODY: The vegetative pant body is composed of […]
Rust of Wheat
Introduction: Rust diseases of wheat are among the oldest plant diseases known to humans. Early literature on wheat cultivation mentions these devastating diseases and their ability to destroy entire wheat crops. Since rust discovery, numerous studies have been conducted on the life cycles of rust pathogens and their management. The information gained from these studies […]