In this article we will discuss about the morphology and vegetative structures of cercospora.
Morphology of Cercospora:
Cercospora:
Common Species:
Cercospora arachidicola, C. beticola, C. nicotianae, C. personata and C. apii.
Occurrence:
It commonly occurs parasitically on many plants of economic importance, and causes the leaf spot disease on arhar, cotton, rice, chillies, Calotropis, Arachis hypogaea (Fig. 114) etc.
Vegetative Structures of Cercospora:
1. Mycelium is well-developed, branched, septate, slender, intercellular and brown coloured.
2. Branched haustoria are present in C. personata. In C. arachidicola the haustoria are absent.
Conidiophores and Conidia:
1. Only asexual reproductive bodies, i.e., conidia are present. Sexual reproduction is absent.
2. Conidiophores are septate (Fig. 115), dark-coloured structures coming out in tufts from stomata.
3. Conidia develop on geniculate structures.
4. On liberation from conidiophore, each conidium leaves a small scar at the place of its attachment.
5. Conidiophores are 22-41 µ long and 3-5µ broad.
6. Conidia are hyaline or pale yellow, obclavate, 38- 108µ long and 3-6µ broad. They are 4 to 12-septate (Fig. 116).
