Pyrenophora Teres - Dispersal and Spread

Dispersal and Spread

The spores of P. teres are usually carried by wind. Growth of the organism on a host plant causes symptoms including necrosis, senescence and eventually cell death. In countries like Australia, damage from Pyrenophora can have serious economic consequences and reduce farm yields by up to 50%. Host tissue is obtained by penetration of the cell with an appressorium, a bulbous formation produced by the fungus that allows the uptake of nutrients.