The Sweetpotato Black Rot Pathogen Ceratocystis fimbriata.
- 1Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology and NC Plant Sciences Initiative, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
- 2School of Integrative Plant Science, Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology Section, Cornell University, Geneva, New York, USA.
- 3The IR-4 Project, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
Abstract
Black rot, caused by the soilborne fungus Ceratocystis fimbriata, is a major postharvest disease of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) worldwide. Recent genomic and epidemiological studies have advanced our understanding of the interactions among host, pathogen and environment that influence disease development. Here, we review current knowledge of the pathogen's biology, epidemiology, virulence and management, and identify priorities for future research.Taxonomy
Class: Sordariomycetes; Subclass: Hypocreomycetidae; Order: Microascales; Family: Ceratocystidaceae; Genus: Ceratocystis; Species: Ceratocystis fimbriata.Host range
Ceratocystis fimbriata sensu stricto is the sweetpotato-associated species. The broader host range historically attributed to C. fimbriata reflects the C. fimbriata sensu lato species complex, which included host-associated lineages now recognized as distinct Ceratocystis taxa.Disease symptoms
Latent infections of storage roots evolve into firm, greenish-black cortical lesions bearing protruding perithecia; foliar wilting and stunting can occur in the field.Disease control
Integrated measures, including pathogen-free slips, gentle harvesting, curing, cold storage, sanitation, fungicide dips and emerging microbial biological control strategies, provide partial control; host resistance remains an important breeding target.Useful websites
https://plantpathology.ces.ncsu.edu-diagnostic fact sheets; https://vegetables.tennessee.edu-Southeastern U.S. Vegetable Handbook.
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BibTeX
@article{avila2026sweetpotato,
title = {{The Sweetpotato Black Rot Pathogen Ceratocystis fimbriata.}},
author = {Kelly Avila and Camilo H Parada-Rojas and Jack Mascarenhas and Lina M Quesada-Ocampo},
journal = {Molecular plant pathology},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1111/mpp.70365},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968312},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The Sweetpotato Black Rot Pathogen Ceratocystis fimbriata.
AU - Kelly Avila
AU - Camilo H Parada-Rojas
AU - Jack Mascarenhas
AU - Lina M Quesada-Ocampo
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/01
JO - Molecular plant pathology
DO - 10.1111/mpp.70365
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968312
AB - Black rot, caused by the soilborne fungus Ceratocystis fimbriata, is a major postharvest disease of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) worldwide. Recent genomic and epidemiological studies have advanced our understanding of the interactions among host, pathogen and environment that influence disease development. Here, we review current knowledge of the pathogen's biology, epidemiology, virulence and management, and identify priorities for future research.Taxonomy Class: Sordariomycetes; Subclass: Hypocreomycetidae; Order: Microascales; Family: Ceratocystidaceae; Genus: Ceratocystis; Species: Ceratocystis fimbriata.Host range Ceratocystis fimbriata sensu stricto is the sweetpotato-associated species. The broader host range historically attributed to C. fimbriata reflects the C. fimbriata sensu lato species complex, which included host-associated lineages now recognized as distinct Ceratocystis taxa.Disease symptoms Latent infections of storage roots evolve into firm, greenish-black cortical lesions bearing protruding perithecia; foliar wilting and stunting can occur in the field.Disease control Integrated measures, including pathogen-free slips, gentle harvesting, curing, cold storage, sanitation, fungicide dips and emerging microbial biological control strategies, provide partial control; host resistance remains an important breeding target.Useful websites https://plantpathology.ces.ncsu.edu-diagnostic fact sheets; https://vegetables.tennessee.edu-Southeastern U.S. Vegetable Handbook.
SN - 1364-3703
SN - 1464-6722
ER -