Phoma sorghina. [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria].
Abstract A description is provided for Phoma sorghina. Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: Gramineae and all kinds of plants. Also isolated from soil, air and various animal sources. DISEASE: A minor leaf spot of cereals and grasses. The visible symptoms vary considerably; on sorghum leaves spots are usually irregular or rounded, yellowish-brown or grey with definite reddish-purple margins or indefinite in outline, reaching 1 cm or more in width. Pycnidia develop within spots on leaves, glumes and seeds. Also the fungus has been implicated with pre- and post-emergence death of seedlings of Macroptilium and Sylosanthes species (54, 1779) crown rot of bananas (61, 3556), leaf spot of Agave americana and stem rot of Euphorbia tirucalli (63, 3383), brown stem canker of Leucosperum cordifolium (56, 253). GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: A ubiquitous fungus occurring in tropical and subtropical regions. Africa (Botswana, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe); Asia (Bangladesh, Brunei, Burma, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia (Irian Jaya), Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, USSR); Australasia and Oceania (Australia, Hawaii, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands); Europe (Germany, Portugal, Italy, UK); North America (Canada, USA); Central America and West Indies (Antigua, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Trinidad); South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia). TRANSMISSION: Probably by contaminated seed; the fungus has been found on or isolated from several seed samples (1, 289; 33, 599; 47, 2153; 54, 1779; 60, 367; 61, 4102). In Taiwan P. sorghina has been found to be transmitted from seed to seedlings (62, 4281). The fungus has also been claimed to persist on trash and weed hosts and remain viable up to 1 yr but lose its viability after 2 yr storage on dry infected leaves (Koch & Rumbold, 1921).