Plant Pathology (1996) 45, 529-539

I. Vloutoglou, B.D.L. Fitt and J.A. Lucas (1996)
Germination of Alternaria linicola conidia on linseed: effects of temperature, incubation time, leaf wetness and light regime
Plant Pathology 45 (3), 529-539
Abstract: Conidia of Alternaria linicola germinated on both water agar and linseed leaves (detached or attached) over a wide range of temperatures (5-25°C) by producing one to several germ tubes. At temperatures between 10°C and 25°C and under continuous wetness in darkness, germination started within 2 h after inoculation and reached a maximum (100%) by 8 to 24 h, depending on temperature. At 5°C, the onset of germination was later and the rate of germ tube elongation was slower than that at 10-25°C. During germination, conidia of A. linicola were sensitive to dry interruptions of wet periods and to light. Short (2 h) or long (12 h) dry interruptions occurring at any time between 2 and 6 h after inoculation stopped conidial germination and germ tube elongation. With continuous wetness, light periods 2 to 12 h long immediately after inoculation inhibited conidial germination, which was resumed only when a dark period followed subsequently. However, germination and germ tube elongation of A. linicola conidia stopped and the viability of the conidia was lost during exposure to dry light periods immediately after inoculation with spore suspensions. Penetration of leaves by A. linicola was evident after 12 h and occurred mainly through epidermal cells (direct) with or without the formation of appressoria.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Irene Vloutoglou, Bruce D.L. Fitt

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
environment - cropping system/rotation
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Alternaria linicola	Linseed/flax (Linum usitatissimum)	United Kingdom