What is the Difference Between Alternaria Brassicae and Alternaria Brassicicola?

Alternaria brassicae and Alternaria brassicicola are two fungal plant pathogens that cause diseases in plants belonging to the genus Brassica. The main differences between them are:

1. Host specificity: Alternaria brassicae infects a wide range of Brassica species, including cabbage, oilseed rape, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, kohlrabi, kale, rutabaga, and turnip. In contrast, Alternaria brassicicola primarily infects plants in the genus Brassica, such as cabbage, Chinese cabbage, cauliflower, oilseeds, broccoli, and canola.
2. Genome size: A. brassicae has a genome of approximately 3.4 Mbp in size, while A. brassicicola has a genome of approximately 3.1 Mbp in size.

Both species cause similar symptoms on infected plants, including small, dark specks on leaves that later enlarge into circular, tan spots. They are both capable of causing Alternaria leaf spot disease, which can lead to reduced crop quality and yield due to damage to seedlings, leaves, and heads. Disease development is favored by cool temperatures and long periods of leaf wetness or high humidity.

In terms of Similarities, both Alternaria brassicae and Alternaria brassicicola:

• Are fungi of the genus Alternaria.
• Are plant pathogens mainly affecting plants of the genus Brassica.
• Tend to grow in moist and damp environments.
• Affect host species at all stages of growth, including the seed stage.
• Mainly reproduce sexually by making conidia.
• Can cause the plant disease called black spot leaf disease.

Comparative Table: Alternaria Brassicae vs Alternaria Brassicicola

Here is a table that summarizes the main differences and similarities between Alternaria brassicae and Alternaria brassicicola:

Both Alternaria brassicae and Alternaria brassicicola are fungal plant pathogens that affect plants of the genus Brassica, causing similar symptoms. However, Alternaria brassicae also infects roses, while Alternaria brassicicola does not. The two species can cause the same disease, called black spot leaf disease, but the spots caused by Alternaria brassicicola tend to be darker.