This study was conducted to record seasonal variations in the epiphyllous sooty mold colonies found on citrus leaves in two central Florida citrus groves, to determine basic patterns of fungal growth throughout the year and to determine whether these general patterns are correlated with regional climatological data. The results indicated general seasonal variations in the reproductive units of five of the fungi from the colony. In the study, correlations were seen between the two Ascomycetes, Treubiomyces pulcherrimus and Trichomerium didymopanacis. They were found fruiting most abundantly during the winter and spring. Reproductive units of two asexual sooty mold species (Podoxyphium citricolum and Tripospermum roupalae) were found in greater abundance during the summer. A third fungus, Pithomyces atro-olivaceous, was found with high numbers of reproductive units during the winter and it is suggested that this species is a transient of the sooty mold colony. No reasons for the cycling of the sooty mold colony were clearly defined. The presence of biological similarities between the fungal cycle and the climatological data and insect cycles observed in the field may contribute to sooty mold colony seasonal variations.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ucf.edu/oai:stars.library.ucf.edu:rtd-1174 |
| Date | 01 January 1975 |
| Creators | Pohlad, Bobby Ray |
| Publisher | Florida Technological University |
| Source Sets | University of Central Florida |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Retrospective Theses and Dissertations |
| Rights | Public Domain |
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