Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Diversity of Protists II

Diversity of Protists II

Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...

Fungal Phylum Ascomycota

Fungal Phylum Ascomycota

Phylum Ascomycota, a major division within the subkingdom Dikarya, comprises a diverse range of fungal species, including both unicellular yeasts and filamentous molds such as Aspergillus and Penicillium. These fungi thrive in a variety of habitats, from aquatic ecosystems to terrestrial environments, playing crucial ecological and economic roles.Morphology and ReproductionThe defining characteristic of Ascomycetes, commonly referred to as sac fungi, is the ascus—a sac-like structure that...

Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores

Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores

Plants often form mutualistic relationships with soil-dwelling fungi or bacteria to enhance their roots’ nutrient uptake ability. Root-colonizing fungi (e.g., mycorrhizae) increase a plant’s root surface area, which promotes nutrient absorption. While root-colonizing, nitrogen-fixing bacteria (e.g., rhizobia) convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3), making nitrogen available to plants for various biological functions. For example, nitrogen is essential for the biosynthesis of the...

Diversity of Protists I

Diversity of Protists I

Excavata is a diverse group of protists that includes both chemoorganotrophic and phototrophic species, with some thriving in anaerobic environments. Among the key groups within Excavata are diplomonads and parabasalids, which are flagellated protists that lack mitochondria and chloroplasts. These microorganisms typically inhabit anoxic environments, such as the intestines of animals, where they exist either symbiotically or as parasites, relying on fermentation for energy production. Some...

Diversity of Protists IV

Diversity of Protists IV

Amoebozoa represent a diverse group of terrestrial and aquatic protists that utilize lobe-shaped pseudopodia for locomotion and feeding. This characteristic differentiates them from the Rhizaria, which possess threadlike pseudopodia. The primary classifications within Amoebozoa include gymnamoebas, entamoebas, and the plasmodial and cellular slime molds. Phylogenetic evidence indicates that Amoebozoa diverged from a lineage that ultimately gave rise to fungi and animals.Gymnamoebas and...

Fungal Phylum Basidiomycota

Fungal Phylum Basidiomycota

Basidiomycota is a diverse phylum of fungi that includes ecologically significant decomposers such as white rot fungi, symbionts like mycorrhizal fungi, plant pathogens such as rusts and smuts, and edible species like Agaricus bisporus (the common button mushroom). These fungi play crucial roles in nutrient cycling, symbiotic relationships, and even human health. Their defining feature is the basidium, a microscopic club-shaped structure responsible for producing basidiospores.Fruiting Bodies...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

A structurally unique effector shared between vascular wilt fungi drives cotton and olive defoliation.

Nature communications·2026

Same author

Plant-associated fungi co-opt ancient antimicrobials for host manipulation.

Science advances·2026

Same author

Differential contributions of an antimicrobial effector from Verticillium dahliae to virulence and tomato microbiota assembly across natural soils.

Microbiome·2026

Same author

Undermining the cry for help: the phytopathogenic fungus Verticillium dahliae secretes an antimicrobial effector protein to undermine host recruitment of antagonistic Pseudomonas bacteria.

The New phytologist·2025

Same author

Starship giant transposons dominate plastic genomic regions in a fungal plant pathogen and drive virulence evolution.

Nature communications·2025

Same author

High quality genome assembly and annotation (v1) of the eukaryotic freshwater microalga Coccomyxa elongata SAG 216-3b.

G3 (Bethesda, Md.)·2024

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Isolation, Behavioral Identification, and Pathogenicity Assessment of Entomopathogenic Fungi from a Forest Wood Borer

Isolation, Behavioral Identification, and Pathogenicity Assessment of Entomopathogenic Fungi from a Forest Wood Borer

Published on: September 29, 2023

Alternaria spp.: from general saprophyte to specific parasite.

Bart P H J Thomma¹

¹Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics (CMPG), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, B-3001 Heverlee-Leuven, Belgium.

Molecular Plant Pathology

|June 24, 2010

Summary

Alternaria fungi can be saprophytic or pathogenic, causing diseases in various crops. This review explores fungal pathogenic strategies and plant defense mechanisms against Alternaria infections.

More Related Videos

Leveraging Micro-CT Scanning to Analyze Parasitic Plant-Host Interactions

Leveraging Micro-CT Scanning to Analyze Parasitic Plant-Host Interactions

Published on: January 12, 2022

A Visual Guide for Studying Behavioral Defenses to Pathogen Attacks in Leaf-Cutting Ants

A Visual Guide for Studying Behavioral Defenses to Pathogen Attacks in Leaf-Cutting Ants

Published on: October 12, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Isolation, Behavioral Identification, and Pathogenicity Assessment of Entomopathogenic Fungi from a Forest Wood Borer

Isolation, Behavioral Identification, and Pathogenicity Assessment of Entomopathogenic Fungi from a Forest Wood Borer

Published on: September 29, 2023

Leveraging Micro-CT Scanning to Analyze Parasitic Plant-Host Interactions

Leveraging Micro-CT Scanning to Analyze Parasitic Plant-Host Interactions

Published on: January 12, 2022

A Visual Guide for Studying Behavioral Defenses to Pathogen Attacks in Leaf-Cutting Ants

A Visual Guide for Studying Behavioral Defenses to Pathogen Attacks in Leaf-Cutting Ants

Published on: October 12, 2018

Area of Science:

Mycology
Plant Pathology
Fungal Pathogenesis

Background:

Alternaria species are ubiquitous fungi, primarily saprophytic, but some exhibit pathogenic capabilities.
These pathogenic Alternaria species cause significant diseases across a broad host range, impacting agriculture.
The taxonomy of Alternaria includes asexual anamorphs of Pleospora and potentially Leptosphaeria.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the pathogenic strategies utilized by Alternaria species.
To discuss the defense mechanisms employed by host plants against Alternaria attacks.

Main Methods:

Literature review summarizing current knowledge on Alternaria pathogenesis.
Analysis of fungal strategies for host exploitation.
Examination of plant defense responses.

Main Results:

Alternaria species employ diverse strategies to infect and derive nutrients from hosts.
Host plants have evolved various mechanisms to resist or tolerate Alternaria infections.
Pathogenic Alternaria can cause economically important diseases like leaf spot and blight, as well as post-harvest decay.

Conclusions:

Understanding Alternaria pathogenesis and host defenses is crucial for disease management.
Further research into specific molecular interactions can lead to improved crop protection strategies.