Capnodiales (weed pathogens)

Ascomycota (weed path.) • fungi/oomycetes • weed diseases • beneficials

Cercospora chenopodii - a) Leaf spots, b,c) fasciculate conidiophores, d–g) conidia, — Scale bars = 10 μm (click on image to enlarge it)
Author(s): M. Bakhshi, M. Arzanlou, A. Babai-Ahari, J.Z. Groenewald, U. Braun and P.W. Crous
Source: Persoonia, 2015, 34, p.76

Capnodiales (weed pathogens)

The fungus order Capnodiales has been originally described as a group of leaf epiphytes associated with black growth on plants ("sooty moulds"). However, the group also contains many plant pathogens including those which are regarded as beneficial because they infect mainly weeds.

The order is characterized by its genetic structure. It is part of the class Dothideomycetes. The members differ from those of the sister order Dothideales by forming asci in the centre of a dense mass of mycelium which keeps sufficient moisture. The species can, therefore, survive in environments not suitable for many other fungal groups. The perithecia are usually small. The species form superficial ascomata with fasciculate asci, and hyaline to dark, septate ascospores.

For a review on the taxonomy of this order see Crous et al. 2009 .

Note:
Please note that this page only deals with weed pathogens, for other groups of Capnodiales see:

• plant pathogenic Capnodiales
• beneficial antagonistic Capnodiales

The following genera are currently entered as weed bioagents under this order:

• Cercospora (anamorphic genus - weed pathogens)