''Ulocladium'' is a
genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nom ...
of
fungi
A fungus ( : fungi or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, separately from ...
. Species of this genus contain both
plant pathogens and
food spoilage
Food spoilage is the process where a food product becomes unsuitable to ingest by the consumer. The cause of such a process is due to many outside factors as a side-effect of the type of product it is, as well as how the product is packaged and s ...
agents. Other species contain enzymes that are
biological control
Biological control or biocontrol is a method of controlling pests, such as insects, mites, weeds, and plant diseases, using other organisms. It relies on predation, parasitism, herbivory, or other natural mechanisms, but typically also i ...
agents.
Some members of the genus can invade homes and are a sign of moisture because the mold requires water to thrive. They can cause plant diseases or hay fever and more serious infections in immuno-suppressed individuals.
Species of ''Ulocladium'' resemble those of genus ''
Alternaria
''Alternaria'' is a genus of Deuteromycetes fungi. All species are known as major plant pathogens. They are also common allergens in humans, growing indoors and causing hay fever or hypersensitivity reactions that sometimes lead to asthma. They ...
'' with which they were once included. Several DNA-based phylogenetic studies place ''Ulocladium'' convincingly within ''Alternaria'', suggesting that the latter is the correct classification for these species.
However, ''Ulocladium'', unlike ''Alternaria'', do not produce
alternariols,
tenuazonic acid
Tenuazonic acid is a mycotoxin produced by ''Alternaria'' species. It is a powerful eukaryotic protein synthesis inhibitor. It is a tetrameric acid that is ubiquitous in biological environments and prevents the release of newly synthesized prote ...
, altersolanols, or macrosporin.
The species ''Ulocladium oudemansii'' is utilised as a biocontrol agent against ''
Botrytis cinerea
''Botrytis cinerea'' is a necrotrophic fungus that affects many plant species, although its most notable hosts may be wine grapes. In viticulture, it is commonly known as "botrytis bunch rot"; in horticulture, it is usually called "grey mould" o ...
''. The New Zealand compan
Botryzen (2010) Ltduses it to control Botrytis bunch rot in the NZ vineyard industry, Sclerotinia and Psa in the NZ kiwfruit industry.
Conidia
Conidia are black, rough, with pointed base when young, with both transverse and longitudinal septae, single or in a short chain (only in U. chartarum). Conidiophores are pale brown, erect, multicelled, and develop conidia in a sympodial mode. The two common species of indoor Ulocladium are U. botrytis and U. chartarum. This genus is closely related to Alternaria and
Stemphyllium. Ulocladium conidia are characteristic and can be identified by properly trained laboratory analysts, although spores of
Alternaria
''Alternaria'' is a genus of Deuteromycetes fungi. All species are known as major plant pathogens. They are also common allergens in humans, growing indoors and causing hay fever or hypersensitivity reactions that sometimes lead to asthma. They ...
and
Pithomyces may be confused with Ulocladium.
Species (approximately 20)
* ''Ulocladium alternariae'' (Cooke) Simmons, fungal agent of
pistachio
* ''
Ulocladium atrum'', biocontrol of ''
Botrytis cinerea
''Botrytis cinerea'' is a necrotrophic fungus that affects many plant species, although its most notable hosts may be wine grapes. In viticulture, it is commonly known as "botrytis bunch rot"; in horticulture, it is usually called "grey mould" o ...
''
* ''
Ulocladium botrytis'' Preuss, claimed not a pathogen, but found to cause
onychomycosis
Onychomycosis, also known as tinea unguium, is a fungal infection of the nail. Symptoms may include white or yellow nail discoloration, thickening of the nail, and separation of the nail from the nail bed. Toenails or fingernails may be affected, ...
* ''
Ulocladium chartarum'' (G Preuss) EG Simmons, disease in immuno-suppressed patients
* ''
Ulocladium chlamydosporum''
* ''
Ulocladium consortiale'', plant pathogen of
caraway
Caraway, also known as meridian fennel and Persian cumin (''Carum carvi''), is a biennial plant in the family Apiaceae, native to western Asia, Europe, and North Africa.
Etymology
The etymology of "caraway" is unclear. Caraway has been ...
* ''Ulocladium cucurbitae'' (Letendre & Roum.) EG Simmons, leaf spot pathogen of cucumber
* ''Ulocladium dauci'' EG Simmons
* ''Ulocladium lanuginosum''(Harz) EG Simmons
* ''Ulocladium litoreum'' Pivkin & Zvereva
* ''Ulocladium manihoticola'' JM Yen
* ''Ulocladium manihoticolum'' JM Yen
* ''Ulocladium microspora'' Moub & Abdel-Hafez
* ''Ulocladium multiforme'' EG Simmons
* ''Ulocladium oblongo-ovoideum'' XG Zhang & TY Zhang
* ''Ulocladium ovoideum'' EG Simmons
* ''Ulocladium oudemansii'' EG Simmons, biocontrol of ''
Botrytis cinerea
''Botrytis cinerea'' is a necrotrophic fungus that affects many plant species, although its most notable hosts may be wine grapes. In viticulture, it is commonly known as "botrytis bunch rot"; in horticulture, it is usually called "grey mould" o ...
''
* ''Ulocladium populi'' E.G. Simmons, G. Newcombe & A. Shipunov
* ''Ulocladium septosporum'' (Preuss) EG Simmons
* ''Ulocladium tuberculatum'' EG Simmons
References
''Ulocladium'' species ''Ulocladium'' pathogenicity
''Ulocladium'' specieswww.botryzen.co.nz] Botryzen (2010) Ltd*
Pleosporaceae
{{Pleosporales stub