Alternaria alternata

Alternaria rot fungus

Description

The fungus is commonly found on a variety of plant remains and appears frequently also on seeds of woodland trees, degrading their germination capacity or infesting sprouting seeds and early growth of saplings in humid conditions. If kept dry, the seeds are resistant against the fungus. Only occasionally it may cause die-back of sapling or young plantation shoots, manifested by crumpling of wilted tips. The central black section is formed by a mass of conidia, while the gray edge is the mycelium. As a rule, the fungus is a secondary pathogen causing generally no severe damage in forest crop.

Symptom

Surface mold caused by this species can occurs on young plant tissue and fruits. Initially small spots, get larger and turns yellowish olive and becomes dark gray or brown finaly.

Tree Species: Pine, Beech, Oak, Douglas Fir, Fir, Spruce, Larch

Part of a plant- attacked: Tree trunk

Pest significance: Very harmful

Pest Category: Fungi

Invasive Species: No

Present in EU: Yes