FUNGI IMPERFECTI DIPLODIA 



287 



Fig. 103 A. Cross-section of the pycnidium of Diplodia Zeae on a corn kernel showing 

 sporophores, conidia and mycelium. After Burrill and Barrett. 



Although the fungus has been cultivated, the toxic substance has not 

 been isolated. The writer fed mouldy corn meal to cats and rabbits. It 

 produced injurious effects in kittens; three of these animals fed with mouldy 

 corn meal and milk died from the effects. Unfortunately, in this case, different 

 moulds, Aspergillus glaucus, Fusarium, and Diplodia, were used. 



Dr. Erwin F. Smith and Florence Hedges write as follows of this fungus: 



"It is also worthy of inquiry whether this fungus may not be the cause of the so-called 

 'cornstalk disease' prevalent among cattle in the west. It is also possible that to Diplodia 

 should be referred the great numbers of deaths of negroes in the south during past three 

 years (1906-1909) from the so-called pellagra, following the consumption of mouldy corn- 

 meal and mouldy hominy. This fungus is also the cause of mouldy corn in Italy. The only 

 other fungi we have reason for suspecting in this connection are species of Aspergillus." * 



There are striking similarities between the so-called forage poisoning of 

 cattle and the Pellagra disease in Italy and they are probably referable to some 

 of the fungi found in corn. Dr. Miquel * in 1838 suggested that a Mucor 

 was the cause of Pellagra. 



Fusarium, Lk. 



Mycelium spreading, more or less effuse; conidia spindle-shaped or sickle- 

 ike, many-celled at maturity, conidiophores branching, conidia borne at the 

 apex. A genus of numerous species, many of which are of uncertain affinity, 

 usually found on dead organic matter but several are known to produce 

 diseases of cultivated plants, like F. Lycopersici, Sacc., which produces the 

 'Sleeping Disease" of tomatoes, the mycelium occurring in the vessels of the 

 roots and causing a wilting. The Fusarium liuionis, Briosi, produces a mal- 

 di-gomma, or foot-rot, of orange and lemon trees. The Fusarium vasinfectum, 

 Atks., produces a disease of cotton, known as "frenching." The cotton wilt 

 s caused by a species of Fusarium and the perfect form of this fungus ac- 

 cording to E. F. Smith is Xecosmospora. 



* Diplodia Disease of Maize (Suspected cause of Pellagra). Science 30:60-61. 



* Die Noord Nederlandsche vergiftige Gewassen. 43 Amsterdam 1839. 



