Alternaria is a common fungal genus with at least 50 species that can cause crop blight, allergies, and infections in people and animals. It reproduces by budding and creates club-shaped spores that spread easily. It feeds on cellulose and can be found in decaying plant material, living crops, and homes. It can cause damage to plants and respiratory infections and allergies in animals and people.
Alternaria is a fungal genus with at least 50 species. It is quite ubiquitous in the environment and is one of the fungi humans interact with most frequently, to varying degrees. Alternaria species are a major cause of crop blight and also cause allergies and infections in some people and animals. Mycologists, people who specialize in the study of fungi, estimate that hundreds of species of this genus will eventually be identified, with more and more being added to the list of known species.
These fungi are asexual, reproduce by budding and create club-shaped spores that join in chains to facilitate the spread of the fungus. Alternaria species are usually gray to black in color and their colonies have a downy or woolly texture. When disturbed, a colony can disintegrate, spreading the fungus through the air in a black cloud. This is a common problem for farmers dealing with crop infestations, as the removal of the infected crop inevitably releases spores of the fungus into the air, contributing to its spread. Mushroom cloud can also contribute to the development of respiratory problems.
In the natural environment, Alternaria can be found wherever there is cellulose, as these fungi feed on cellulose. This includes decaying plant material and living crops. The fungus also grows in homes and can spread through waterways. Alternaria is a very hardy fungal species, which goes dormant during periods of prolonged drying and quickly re-emerges as soon as a water source becomes available. Colonies also grow very rapidly, allowing the fungus to invade an area very quickly.
For farmers and gardeners, Alternaria is a concern because it can cause damage to plants. As it settles in the plant, it classically brings out a ring of dead tissue, and this ring slowly enlarges and eventually either kills the plant or creates a series of unsightly spots. Controlling Alternaria can be difficult because it spreads so easily and an estimated 20% of crop damage worldwide is caused by these active fungi.
For animals, Alternaria can cause respiratory infections and allergies, especially when exposed for an extended period of time. Mushrooms of this genus appear to contribute to the development of asthma in children and can cause coughing and respiratory infections. In people with compromised immune systems, fungi can also cause more serious infections of the skin, mucous membranes and internal organs.
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