investigator at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences ( UF / IFAS ) have identified a Modern genus and species of fungus , found in potted Boston fern plants .
Now , scientists want to know more about it , such as what causes the fungus , which they believe they will find with assistance from the nursery manufacture . The fungus , call Asperosporus subterraneus , was brought to the UF / IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center ( TREC ) by two South Florida nurseries in 2017 and 2018 . Researchers at the center ’s Plant Diagnostic Clinic believe that , while there is no indication that the fungus can kill the plant because there was no evidence of contact with the roots , the species deserves more investigation .
The squad that identified the fungus asks greenhouse and consumers to help bet for the fungus in pot plant so scientists can continue their investigation .
No pathogens involved“The practiced news is that we do not believe it is a pathogen that will lead to disease for the Boston fern , but we need more data to mold the cause , ” said Elena Karlsen - Ayala , a doctoral student of plant pathology who co - authored the determination with Romina Gazis , an assistant prof at TREC and music director of its Plant Diagnostic Clinic , and Matthew Smith , an associate prof in industrial plant pathology in Gainesville . Scientists write their finding in the former issue of Fungal Systematics and Evolution .
extra spread of the fungus can bring down the economical impact of this popular plant , which is grown and sold extensively in Florida and across southern states by the ornamental baby’s room industry . “ To determine how common and widely distributed this fungus is within the baby’s room output , we encourage manufacturer to inspect their potted tropical foliage and adjoin us at the Plant Diagnostic Clinic if they find the earthnut - same fungus , ” say Gazis .
Gazis recommend homeowners also inspect their potted Boston ferns for symptoms . Homeowners are asked to work with their local UF / IFAS Extension offices , which are in all 67 counties . you may usethis websiteto determine if the samples require pile up and testing .
Visible symptoms to calculate out for on the surface of potted plants admit wilt leaves and yellow of usually gullible leaves due to a want of chlorophyl . This is prognosticate chlorosis . what is more , there is an unpleasant odor that fall with the fungus , but the most obvious mark is found when the fern is removed from the plenty , where you will see a white mat of the fungus surrounding the out surface of the dirt , binding the constituent affair and preclude the flora ’s ascendent from get at water and nutrients . fruit body of the earthnut - alike fungus can also be found at the base of the filth .
researcher consider there are several prosperous conditions that can further the growth and bed cover of the fungus , including potting soil containing peat moss and pine bark . Their next steps are to substantially empathize the ontogeny and spread of the fungus and determine if this is an introduced fungus . This will help oneself train in force direction strategy for nursery to keep financial losses due to unvendible plants .
