Alternaria is a genus of ascomycete fungi. Alternaria 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 readily cause opportunistic infections in immunocompromised people such as AIDS patients. Subphyla/Classes Archaeascomycetes Euascomycetes Hemiascomycetes or Pezizomycotina Laboulbeniomycetes Eurotiomycetes Lecanoromycetes Leotiomycetes Pezizomycetes Sordariomycetes Dothideomycetes (and many more) Saccharomycotina Saccharomycetes Taphrinomycotina Neolectomycetes Pneumocystidomycetes Schizosaccharomycetes Taphrinomycetes The Ascomycota, formerly known as the Ascomycetae, or Ascomycetes, are a Division of Fungi, whose members are commonly known as the Sac Fungi, which produce spores... Phytopathology (plant pathology) is the scientific study of plant diseases caused by pathogens (infectious diseases) and environmental conditons (non-infectiousness). ... An allergen is any substance (antigen), most often eaten or inhaled, that is recognized by the immune system and causes an allergic reaction. ... For the play, see Hay Fever. ... Opportunistic infections are infections caused by organisms and usually do not cause disease in a person with a healthy immune system, but can affect people with a poorly functioning or suppressed immune system. ... Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS or Aids) is a collection of symptoms and infections resulting from the specific damage to the immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). ...

There are 44 definite, well-known species, but there may be hundreds more. They are ubiquitous in the environment and are a natural part of fungal flora most everywhere. They are normal agents of decay and decomposition. The spores are airborne and found in the soil and water, as well as indoors and on objects. The club-shaped spores are single or form long chains. They can grow thick colonies which are usually black or gray. “Spoilage” redirects here. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ...

At least 20% of agricultural spoilage is caused by Alternaria species. Many human health disorders can be caused by these fungi, which grow on skin and mucous membranes, including on the eyeballs and within the respiratory tract. Allergies are common, but serious infections are rare, except in people with compromised immune systems. However, species of this fungal genus are often prolific producers of a variety of toxic compounds. The effects most of these compounds have on animal and plant health are not well known. The terms alternariosis and alternariatoxicosis are used for disorders in humans and animals caused by a fungus in this genus. The mucous membranes (or mucosae; singular: mucosa) are linings of mostly endodermal origin, covered in epithelium, and are involved in absorption and secretion. ...

Not all Alternaria species are pests and pathogens; some have shown promise as biocontrol agents against invasive plant species. Predatory Polistes wasp looking for bollworms or other caterpillars on a cotton plant Biological control of pests and diseases is a method of controlling pests (including weeds and diseases) in agriculture that relies on natural predation, parasitism or other natural mechanism, rather than introduced chemicals. ... Lantana invasion of abandoned citrus plantation; Moshav Sdey Hemed, Israel The term invasive species refers to a subset of introduced species or non-indigenous species that are rapidly expanding outside of their native range. ...

Selected species:

• Alternaria alternata - causes upper respiratory infections in AIDS patients, asthma in people with sensitivity, and has been implicated in chronic rhinosinusitis. Causes early blight of potato and can infest other plants.
• Alternaria arborescens - causes stem canker of tomato
• Alternaria arbusti - causes leaf lesions on Asian pear
• Alternaria blumeae - causes lesions on Blumea aurita
• Alternaria brassicae - infests many vegetables and roses
• Alternaria brassicicola - grows on cole crops
• Alternaria carotiincultae - causes leaf blight on carrot
• Alternaria conjuncta - grows on parsnip
• Alternaria dauci - grows on carrot
• Alternaria euphorbiicola - infests cole crops
• Alternaria gaisen - causes ringspot disease of pear
• Alternaria infectoria - infests wheat
• Alternaria japonica - infests cole crops
• Alternaria molesta - may cause skin lesions on porpoises
• Alternaria panax - causes ginseng blight
• Alternaria petroselini - causes parsley leaf blight
• Alternaria selini - causes parsley crown decay
• Alternaria smyrnii - infests alexanders and parsleys

Binomial name (Fr. ... Binomial name L. Synonyms Lycopersicon lycopersicum Lycopersicon esculentum Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. ... Binomial name Pyrus pyrifolia (Burm. ... Binomial name (Berk. ... Binomial name (Schwein. ... Genera See text. ... Binomial name L. Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. ... Binomial name Pastinaca sativa L. The parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) is a root vegetable related to the carrot. ... Binomial name (J.G. Kühn) J.W. Groves & Skolko, (1944) Synonyms (J.G. Kühn) P.C. Bolle, (1924) (J.G. Kühn) J. Lindau Alternaria carotae (Ellis & Langl. ... Binomial name E.G. Simmons & Engelhard, (1986) Synonyms Alternaria euphorbiae (Barthol. ... Species T. aestivum T. boeoticum T. compactum T. dicoccoides T. dicoccon T. durum T. monococcum T. spelta T. sphaerococcum T. timopheevii References:   ITIS 42236 2002-09-22 For the indie rock group see: Wheat (band). ... Binomial name Yoshii, (1941) Synonyms Alternaria mattiolae Neerg. ... Genera Neophocaena Phocoena - Harbor porpoise Phocoenoides - Dalls porpoise The porpoises are small cetaceans of the family Phocoenidae; they are related to whales and dolphins. ... Binomial name Whetzel, (1912) Synonyms Alternaria araliae H.C. Greene, (1953) Alternaria panax is a plant pathogen, who causes Alternaria blight of Ginseng. ... Species Subgenus Panax Section Panax Series Notoginseng Panax notoginseng Series Panax Panax bipinnatifidus Panax ginseng Panax japonicus Panax quinquefolius Panax vietnamensis Panax wangianus Panax zingiberensis Section Pseudoginseng Panax pseudoginseng Panax stipuleanatus Subgenus Trifolius Panax trifolius Panax is a genus of 11 species of slow-growing perennial plants with fleshy roots... This article needs additional references or sources to facilitate its verification. ... Binomial name Smyrnium olusatrum L. Alexanders is a commonly cultivated flowering plant, Smyrnium olusatrum, belonging to the family Umbelliferae. ...

External links

• Alternaria as an indoor fungal allergen
• Alternaria Online
• IPM for Alternaria leafspot
• Photo gallery
• Mycology Online page