Alternaria spp.
Cladosporium spp.
Epicoccum spp.
Sporobolomyces spp.
Stemphylium spp.
and other genera
- Symptoms: The typical symptom is the blackened appearance of mature or dead spikes, caused by a superficial accumulation of mycelia and sporulating fungal tissue (see picture).
- Development: When wet or humid weather occurs at or near crop maturation, or when plants are heavily infested with aphids, or when plants die prematurely, they may be invaded by one or more of these fungi. Technically, black molds do not constitute a disease, since the fungi are saprophytic and invade only dead or dying plant tissue.
- Hosts/Distribution: Black molds affect any kind of dead or dying plant tissue; distribution is worldwide.
- Importance: Black molds generally are not economically important. Under humid or rainy conditions, the fungi can invade mature kernels, causing discoloration, black point, or smudge.
