Pseudocercosporella capsellae

P. capsellae has a significant effect on crop yields on agricultural products, such as canola seed and rapeseed.

The ascocarp of M. capsellae is a cleistothecium, meaning asci are shielded from the environment prior to ascospore release.

[5] These chains of conidia are attached to a long conidiophore and stipe, connecting these asexual structures to the sterile hyphal network of the fungal body.

In culture, P. capsellae appears black and white on potato dextrose agar (PDA).

When observed under a microscope, P. capsellae appears a reddish-purple color due to the fungus' production of a purple-pink pigment.

[3] At these temperate conditions and in ample humidity, conidia can be spread to new host plants via wind, water droplet splash, or by improperly sanitized farm equipment.

In rare cases, cover crops or neighboring species of weeds can act as secondary hosts for the sexual stage of P.

[3] Sanitation of farm equipment and crop rotation are methods of reducing initial inoculum of conidia produced by P. capsellae.

Breeding genetic resistance towards P. capsellae is a promising method for disease management of this pathogen.

Pictured is a leaf with white leaf spot disease. Small lesions can be observed on the leaf, which is a symptom of P. capsellae . Conidia can be frequently found on the underside of these lesions.
Conidia form septate chains on the undersides of leaves. These conidia are the primary means of spread for P. capsellae .
A severe infection by P. capsellae, or related pathogens (synonyms), can cause a high number of lesions and nutrient deficiency in leaves, causing death of leaf tissue.