Deuteromycetes: The Fungi Imperfecti | Structure & Characteristics
There is only asexual and vegetative phase known so these are commonly regarded as imperfect fungi. It is also possible that the asexual and vegetative stage have been given one name (and placed under deuteromycetes) and the sexual stage another (and placed under another class)
By the establishment of linkages, the perfect stage (or sexual form) discovered in these fungi, they are moved out of deuteromycetes to ascomycetes and basidiomycetes. The deuteromycetes reproduce only by asexual spores known as conidia. The mycelium is septate and branched in these fungi. Some of them are saprophytes or parasites while a large number of them are decomposers of litter (organic matter) and help in mineral cycling.
Examples: Altermaria, Colletotrichum and Trichoderma.
| Knowledge Cloud |
| (i) Leaf spot of rice: Helminthosporium oryzae causes leaf spot disease of rice commonly called brown leaf spot of rice. It caused Bengal famine in 1942-43.
(ii) Early blight : Alternaria solani causes early blight of potato. The leaves develop small oval brown spots with concentric rings (target board symptom). (iii) Tikka disease: Circular necrotic dark brown or blackish leaf spots develop in groundnut due to Cercospora personata. (iv) Red rot: Colletotrichum falcatum produces red rot of sugarcane. (v) Wilts: Many economically important plants (e.g.. cotton, pigeon pea) show sudden signs of wilting due to blockage of tracheary elements by growth of fungus. Fusaium especially F. oxysporum, F. udum. (vi) Ringworm of foot/Athlete’s foot is caused by Trichophyton interdigitate. |
Common names of some Fungi
| Fungus/Group | Common namess |
| Rhizopus | Black/Bread mould |
| Morchella | Morels (sponge mushroom) |
| Saccharomyces | Yeasts (sugar fungus) |
| Phallus | Stink horns |
| Hydnum | Tooth fungi (Hedge hog fungi) |
| Ganoderma, Polyporus | Wood/ Bracket/ Shelf fungi |
| Aspergillus flavus | Guinea pig of plant kingdom |
| Mucor mucedo | Dung mould |
| Penicillium | Blue/green mould |
| Peziza | Cup fungi |
| Lycoperdon, Clavatia | Puff balls |
| Cyathus | Bird’s nest fungus |
| Clavaria | Coral fungi |
| Amanita | Toad stool |
| Tremella | Jelly fungi/Trembling fungi |
| Pleurotus ostreatus | Oyster mushroom |
| Agaricus bisporus | Button mushroom |
| Neurospora crassa | Drosophila of plant kingdom |