Mycosphaerella fijiensis

Mycosphaerella fijiensis is an ascomycete fungus that is an important banana pathogen. It causes the Black Sigatoka (black leaf streak disease). The anamorph of the fungus is traditionally called Paracercospora fijiensis or Pseudocercospora fijiensis.

M. fijiensis reproduces both sexually and asexually, and both conidia and ascospores are impontant in its dispersal. The conidia are mainly water-born to short distances, while ascospores are carried by wind to more remote places (the distances being limited by their susceptibility to ultraviolet light).

Over sixty distinct strains with different pathogenetic potentials have been isolated. In order to better understand the mechanisms of its variability, the "Genetic diversity of Mycosphaerella fijiensis Project" has been initiated.