Plant Pathology: Extension: Plant Disease Library

Choanephora

Important diseases: Soft rots of pumpkin, pepper, okra, and summer squash.

Choanephora is not a major plant pathogen, but it is often seen on vegetable fruits under wet, humid conditions. It is most often found on summer squash and okra.

Choanephora attacks senescing floral parts of many plants after fertilization. The fungus then advances into the fruit. Infected tissue is often covered by a mass of fruiting structures.

Choanephora mycelium is white and profuse. Conidiophores (sporangiophores) are long, enlarged and branched at the apex. Each branch bears a head of conidia.

Conidia are single celled, brown or purplish and ellipsoid.