Pyrenophora seminiperda explained

Pyrenophora seminiperda is a minor plant pathogen that causes leaf spots on many grasses.^[1] It is an important generalist grass seed pathogen^[2] which causes visible cylindrical masses of black fungal hyphae (stromata) to grow from infected seeds. Hence the common name "black fingers of death"^[3] It has been hypothesized that the fungus arrived in North America with invasive grasses from Eurasia.^[4] BFOD has been suggested as a method of biocontrol of the invasive cheatgrass, one of the most important invasive species in the USA.^{[3] [5]} Various secondary metabolites of the fungus, including Cytochalasin B, Pyrenophoric Acid-B, and Spirostaphylotrichin W, appears to be responsible for the seed killing.^{[6] [7] [8]}

External links

Dr. Erin Mordecai discusses BFOD and Cheatgrass during a seminar at the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at University of Michigan, Feb. 16, 2017

• Index Fungorum
• USDA ARS Fungal Database

Notes and References

1. Medd. RW. Murray. GM. Pickering. DI. Review of the epidemiology and economic importance of Pyrenophora semeniperda. Australasian Plant Pathology. 2003. 32. 4. 539–550. 10.1071/AP03059. 2003AuPP...32..539M . 26067172.
2. Beckstead J, Meyer SE, Ishizuka TS, McEvoy KM, Coleman CE . Lack of Host Specialization on Winter Annual Grasses in the Fungal Seed Bank Pathogen Pyrenophora semeniperda. PLOS ONE. March 7, 2016. 11. 3. e0151058. 10.1371/journal.pone.0151058. 26950931. 4780786. 2016PLoSO..1151058B. free.
3. Web site: Meyer. SE. Cheatgrass Biocontrol with "Black Fingers of Death". www.fs.fed.us. USDA Forest Service. 21 February 2017.
4. Boose. D. Harrison S. Clement S. Meyer S. Population genetic structure of the seed pathogen Pyrenophora semeniperda on Bromus tectorum in western North America. Mycologia. 2011. 103. 1. 85–93. 20943557. 10.3852/09-310. 27920465. 10058827.
5. News: BARRINGER. FELICITY. Out West, 'Black Fingers of Death' Offer Hope Against an Invader. 21 February 2017. New York Times. 2012.
6. Masi M, Evidente A, Meyer S, Nicholson J, Muñoz A . Effect of strain and cultural conditions on the production of cytochalasin B by the potential mycoherbicide Pyrenophora semeniperda. Biocontrol Science and Technology. 2014. 24. 1. 53–64. 10.1080/09583157.2013.844769. 33374513.
7. Masi M, Cimmino A, Clement S, Black B, Evidente A. Pyrenophoric Acids B and C, two new phytotoxic sesquiterpenoids produced by Pyrenophora semeniperda. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2014. 62. 42. 10304–10311. 10.1021/jf5035515. 25264583.
8. Masi M, Clement S, Andolfi A, Cimmino A, Evidente A. Spirostaphylotrichin W, a spirocyclic γ-lactam isolated from liquid culture of Pyrenophora semeniperda, a potential mycoherbicide for cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). Tetrahedron. 2014. 70. 7. 1497–1502. 10.1016/j.tet.2013.12.056.