Mycosphaerella citri. [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria].
Abstract A description is provided for Mycosphaerella citri. Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: Citrus spp. DISEASE: Greasy spot of Citrus (black melanose or greasy melanose); greasy spot rind blotch has been proposed to cover all the symptoms on fruits (52, 1145). The leaves bear small blister like areas, mostly hypophyllous; these spots are at first a translucent, light yellow orange, becoming necrotic. In the field they resemble irregular flecks of dirty grease on both leaf surfaces. Most of the leaf may be affected and infected leaves fall. Very small black spots are caused on the fruits, forming an unsightly blemish; they are accentuated by delayed colouring of the rind due to retention of chlorophyll in the adjacent living cells (50, 2280; 52, 1145). GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: USA (Florida.). The disease was known for many years in USA before its aetiology was determined (50, 1231); and had been erroneously attributed to Cercospora citri-grisea Fisher (40, 752). A similar (or identical) disease in Japan (48, 155) had been attributed to Mycosphaerella horii Hara (see Tanaka et al. ; Yamada). In Florida M. citri was considered to differ from M. horii (50, 1231; 51, 3364); the former has smaller ascospores which are not constricted at the septa. TRANSMISSION: Air-borne ascospores from fallen leaves are thought to be the most important inoculum source (50, 1231).