Black fungus on leaves.

pumpkins@mallorn.com wrote:
> 
> Harold, Hi, The wilt I'm seeing starts as a black lace structure all 
> over the leaf and ends with the leaf looking burned black.
  While I have studied fungus disease since I got some USDA bulletins as
a kid, I had never looked at pumpkin vines under the microscope until
this year. I have never seen anything on pumpkin like you describe.
Still seems like I have seen something similar somewhere. 
  As you know most fungus mycelium is clear like water or whitish,
except fruiting bodies. There is a good chance the black is due to
fruiting bodies and microscopic examination might give some idea of the
organism. 
  For those on the list who have not studied fungi, fungi are divided
into 4 groups according to the sexual spores produce. Fungi Imperfecti
is the 5th group for those having no known sexual stage. 
  I have very few fungi books, but I do have good microscopes. I would
be happy to look at any materials anyone wants to send me. Just put a
leaf piece in an letter or business envelop and mail it to me. Leaves
placed in platic usually mold. Museums usually store fungi growing on
leaves in folded paper and they keep for a century or so.  
Harold Eddleman, 14045 Huff Street, Palmyra  IN  47164-8872 (no charge
if reply is by e-mail). I can also look at insect damage or dead
insects. Gasoline kills insects. Mites (8 legs) are sometimes hard to
see even with a microscope. 
  I wonder whether this black on leaves is a harmless saprophyte like
fly spec on apples which is harmless but makes the fruit unmarketable.
Most woody plants and leaves have many tiny harmless fungi growing on
the stem surface.  This leaf organism and the wilting may be independent
events.
  
  
-- 
Harold Eddleman Ph.D. Microbiologist.       i*@disknet.com 
Location: Palmyra IN USA; 36 kilometers west of Louisville, Kentucky


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