What is the Latin name of the fungus associated with Necrotic Ring Spot?

What is the Latin name of the fungus associated with Necrotic Ring Spot?

• A. Ophiosphaerella korrae
• B. Magnaporthe oryzae
• C. Fusarium oxysporum
• D. Pythium aphanidermatum

Answer: (A)

Necrotic Ring Spot in turf is caused by a specific fungal pathogen, identified by its Latin binomial as Ophiosphaerella korrae. Knowing the exact organism helps you connect the disease symptoms with its biology and management, since different pathogens have different life cycles, hosts, and environmental needs. The other fungi listed are real pathogens in other contexts—Magnaporthe oryzae is famous for rice blast, Fusarium oxysporum causes wilt and root diseases in various plants, and Pythium aphanidermatum is a water mold that typically causes damping-off and root rot. None of them are the fungus traditionally linked to Necrotic Ring Spot, so Ophiosphaerella korrae is the correct association.

Necrotic Ring Spot in turf is caused by a specific fungal pathogen, identified by its Latin binomial as Ophiosphaerella korrae. Knowing the exact organism helps you connect the disease symptoms with its biology and management, since different pathogens have different life cycles, hosts, and environmental needs. The other fungi listed are real pathogens in other contexts—Magnaporthe oryzae is famous for rice blast, Fusarium oxysporum causes wilt and root diseases in various plants, and Pythium aphanidermatum is a water mold that typically causes damping-off and root rot. None of them are the fungus traditionally linked to Necrotic Ring Spot, so Ophiosphaerella korrae is the correct association.