Helicobasidium

Helicobasidium
Helicobasidium purpureum causing violet root rot on carrots
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Pucciniomycetes
Order: Helicobasidiales
Family: Helicobasidiaceae
Genus: Helicobasidium
Pat. 1885
Type species
Helicobasidium purpureum
(Tul.) Pat. (1885)
Species

Helicobasidium longisporum
Helicobasidium mompa
Helicobasidium purpureum

Synonyms

Helicobasis Clem. & Shear (1931) Stypinella J. Schröt. (1887) Thanatophytum Nees (1816) Tuberculina Tode ex Sacc. (1880) Uredinula Speg. (1880)


Helicobasidium is a genus of fungi in the subdivision Pucciniomycotina. Basidiocarps (fruit bodies) are corticioid (patch-forming) and are typically violet to purple. Microscopically they have auricularioid (laterally septate) basidia.[1] Asexual anamorphs, formerly referred to the genus Thanatophytum, produce sclerotia.[1] Conidia-bearing anamorphs are parasitic on rust fungi and are currently still referred to the genus Tuberculina.[2]

Species are opportunistic plant pathogens, causing violet root rot of root crops and other plants of economic importance.[1][2] The name "violet root rot" refers to the dark purple colour of the mycelial mats formed on the infected plants, usually at or below the soil line. It can cause total rot and structural failure of roots and subterranean storage organs. Impact of violet root rot on crop loss is often due to stunting of above ground plant growth and decreased vigour, and in extreme cases, whole plant death. It does not directly infect above ground organs. Violet root rot can also damage or cause the death of subterranean storage organs such as potato tubers or carrots.[3][4]

  1. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference Roberts1999 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Lutz2004a was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Violet root rot". keys.lucidcentral.org. Retrieved 2020-11-20.
  4. ^ "Violet root rot | AHDB". ahdb.org.uk. Retrieved 2020-11-20.