Cochliobolus heterostrophus . [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria

Abstract

Abstract A description is provided for Cochliobolus heterostrophus . Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: Generally on leaves of Zea mays , the main host, Euchlaena mexicana, Sorghum vulgare and many species of Gramineae (41: 40; 45, 3084; 48, 414; 50, 2257i). During an epidemic in USA caused by race T in 1970 no important hosts apart from Z. mays were noted (50, 2257b). DISEASE: Southern leaf blight of maize, forming very numerous lesions up to 2.5 cm long, mostly on the leaves. They are at first elliptical, then longitudinally elongate, becoming rectangular as restriction by the veins occurs; cinnamon-buff (sometimes with a purplish tint) with a reddish-brown margin and occasionally zonate, coalescing and becoming greyish with conidia. Symptoms caused by race T show a less well defined, somewhat diffuse lesion, with marginal chlorosis leading to leaf collapse, and all parts of the plant can be attacked. Perithecia have been recently reported in the field at the junction of leaf sheath and blade (50, 2257j). GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Widespread in the tropics and subtropics (CMI Map 346, ed. 3, 1969) but not reported from Australia. Records not yet mapped are: Brunei, Guatemala, Hawaii, Israel, Laos, Mexico, Salvador and Venezuela. TRANSMISSION: Presumably air-dispersed but no detailed studies seem to have been reported. During the recent USA outbreak the disease spread from Florida to Maine in c . 6 months (50, 2257c). Spread by seed occurs (50, 3690, 3692; Crosier & Boothroyd, Phytopathology 61: 427, 747).