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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #74732
Title: RHIZOPYCNIS VAGUM GEN. ET SP. NOV., A NEW COELOMYCETOUS FUNGUS FROM ROOTS OF MELONS AND SUGARCANE

Author
item Farr, David
item MILLER, M - TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
item Bruton, Benny

Submitted to: Mycologia
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/7/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Fungal diseases of cantaloupe are extremely damaging and can destroy an entire crop. Cantaloupes growing in the Rio Grande Valley region of Texas were almost completely destroyed by a fungal disease in spring of 1996. In order to control the disease, it is necessary to determine the cause. The fungus that was apparently causing this disease could not be identified. Upon careful examination it was determined that this fungus was new to science. This paper describes and illustrates this cantaloupe pathogen. As a result of this research it is now possible to identify the fungus that is destroying the fields of cantaloupe in this region and to develop a control strategy for the disease.

Technical Abstract: A new coelomycete, Rhizopycnis cucumis parasitizing the roots of melons, is described. This fungus is characterized by large black pycnidia, enteroblastic conidiogenesis, and conidia that are hyaline to brown with 1-3 septa. The similarities of this fungus with other coelomycetes is discussed.