Glomerella graminicola

Glomerella graminicola ((anamorphic) Colletotrichum graminicola) is a fungus in the teleomorphic phase whose anamorphic phase, Colletotrichum graminicola, causes anthracnose in many cereal species including maize and wheat. Corn is affected in large numbers in the United States by this fungus, especially certain varieties that have been genetically engineered. These engineered varieties are more susceptible to the teleomorph phase of the fungus. It is not until the fungus moves to the teleomorph phase of the lifecycle and begins to produce fruiting bodies that host plants will begin to exhibit symptoms, often on plants depleted in energy after the stress of pollination. Once the pathogen is in a field, producers can suffer huge economic losses. The disease, corn anthracnose leaf blight, is the most common stalk disease in maize and occurs most frequently in reduced-till or no-till fields. As these practices are widespread, as can be the pathogen.