Fungi & Fungal-like Organisms

The features that characterize fungi:

Have no chlorophyll. Have typical true nuclei in their cells a feature which distinguishes them from the bacteria. Reproduce by means of spores (some type of sexual reproduction in addition to asexual reproduction). Usually have thread-like bodies which usually branch. Have cell walls.

Hyphae (singular, hypha)

Cylindrical, branching filaments composed of a tubular cell wall filled with cytoplasm and organelles Most fungal hyphae are 2-10 m diameter

Importance of fungi:
Fungi are both destructive and beneficial to agriculture. Specifically, fungi are the agents responsible for much of the

disintegration of organic matter. They cause the majority of known plant disease, and many diseases of animals and man. They are the basis of a number of industrial processes involving fermentation such as making (bread, wines and preparation of some cheeses). They are responsible for the manufacture of a number of antibiotic drugs. (Penicillin) They increase the fertility of the soil by inducing various changes which eventually result in the release of plant nutrients in a form available to green plants. They are research tools for chemists, geneticists and biologists.

Classification of Fungi and Fungal-like Organisms (Protists) (Circa, 2009)

1) Kingdom: Protozoa / Ambeoza

2) Kingdom: Chromista / Stramenopiles

3) Kingdom: Fungi

The grouping or categories used in the classification of fungi:

Mycologists have made efforts to classify these into nine categories or group: Categories Kingdom Subkingdom Phylum Sub-phylum Class Sub-class Order Family Genus Species endings no special endings mycotera mycota mycotina mycetes mycetidae ales aceae (No special endings)

Derived from Greek or Latin

2. Kingdom: Chromista Phylum: Oomycota Class: Oomycetes

A: Sexual Reproduction of Class Oomycetes

B: Oospore

Seedling damping off Pythium debaryanum

The causal agent of white rust of purslane is

Albugo portulacae

Asexual reproduction in Albugo

Chains of conidia

Club shaped conidiophores

Conidiophores and conidia of Albugo portulacae

Host tissue

Sporangiophores and sporangia of Albugo portulacae

Sexual reproduction in Albugo

oospores

Thick walled oospores of Albugo portulacae in plant tissue

Late Blight of Potato and Tomato Phytophthora infestans

Late Blight of Potato and Tomato Phytophthora infestans

Soft Rot of Vegetables & Fruits Rhiopus stolonifer

Zygospores

Kingdom: Fungi 3. Subkingdom: Eumycotera It comprises 3 phyla as follows: A. Phylum: Ascomycota (Ascus fungi) B. Phylum: Basidiomycota (Basidial fungi) C. Phylum: Deuteromycota (Imperfect fungi)

Ascocarp Shapes

Ascocarp Shapes

Peach Leaf Curl Taphrina deformans

Taphrina deformans

Blue cheese

Penicillium roqueforti

P. roqueforti

HEALTHY FRUIT
Blue rot

green rot

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Penicillium digitatum

Penicillium italicum

Penicillium Italicum
BLUE (blue mould)

GREEN

BLUE AND GREEN MOULD ROT OF ORANGE

Fascicles

Black Rot of Onion Aspergillus niger

Black Rot of Onion Aspergillus niger

Wheat Stem (Black) Rust Puccinia graminis tritici

Spermatia(+ ( Receptive hyphae

(-)

Puccinia graminis: Spermogonia and aecia on Berberis vulgaris

Host epidermis

Stalked, echinulate uredospores

SEM

Host tissue
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Uredosorus of Puccinia graminis

Dark, thick walled , two-celled , stalked teliospores

Teleutosori of Puccinia graminis tritici on wheat stem

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Loose Smut of Wheat Ustilago tritici

Maize (Corn) Smut Ustilago maydis

Maize (Corn) Smut Ustilago maydis

Gray Rot of Strawberry Botrytis cineria

Brown Rot (Bacteria Wilt) of Potato Ralstonia solanacearum

Strict aerobic,Gram negative, non spore forming, non capsulated and rod shaped bacterium affecting a wide range of crops plant world wide.
In Wet tropics, sub tropics and some warm temperate regions and recently in cool temperate regions of northern and southern hemisphere. Important plant hosts: potato, tomato, geranium, banana, tobacco, peanut, ginger, pepper.

Disease Symptoms
Vascular discoloration
Diagnostic bacterial streaming in water

Wilting often without leaf death

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