2. Asexual fructifications
In fungi conidiophores are grouped together to form
specialized structures such as.,
Synnema or coremium
Sporodochium
Pycidium
Acervulus
sorus
3. Synnema or coremium
Synnema or Coremium (pl. coremia) Consists of
a group of conidiophores often united at the base
and part way up the top.
Conidia may be formed along the length of the
synnema or only at its apex.
The conidiophores comprising a synnema are
often branched at the top with the conidia arising
from the conidiogenous cells at the tips of the
numerous branches.
5. Sporodochium
Sporodochium is a fruiting body in which
conidiophores arise from a central cushion-like
aggregation of hyphae. The conidiophores are packed
tightly together and are generally shorter
than those composing a synnema.
sporodochium: (pl. sporodochia)
Superficial, cushion-shaped asexual fruiting body
consisting of a cluster of conidiophores.
6.
7. Pycnidium
Pycnidium is a globose or flask-shaped body,
which is lined on the inside with conidiophores.
Pycnidia may be completely closed or may have
an opening. The opening or mouth of pycnidium
is called ostiole (L. ostiolum = little door).
The wall of pycnidium is called peridium (pl.
peridia; G. peridion=small leather pouch) and it is
composed of multicellular layer, as fungal tissues.
Pycnidia may formed superficially or sunken in
the substratum.
8. They may be formed directly by the loose mycelium or
may be definitely stromatic.
9. Acervulus
Acervulus (pl. acervuli) is a fruiting structure commonly
found in the order Melanconiales (Deuteromycotina). It is
typically a flat or saucer-shaped mass of aggregated
hyphae bearing short conidiophores in a compact layer.
Intermingled with the conidiophores, setae (sing. seta; L.
seta = bristle) are found. Setae are long, pointed, dark
coloured, sterile structures.
In nature acervuli are produced on plant tissues
subepidermally or subcuticularly and becomes erumpent
on maturity.
10.
11. Sorus
Sorus (pl. sori; Gr. Soros = heap) is a little
heap of sporangia or spores.
It may be naked or covered by a thin false
membrane, as in smuts, or protected by
the epidermis as in rust diseases or white
blister or white rust (Albugo spp.).
The structures break open at maturity and
release the spores within, in the form of
rust, which is characteristic of these
diseases.