Burellenosis

Burellenosis (Burellenidae) is a specific fungal disease that primarily affects ornamental and some species of vegetable crops. The pathogen is caused by microscopic fungi of the Burellenidae family, which parasitize the epidermal tissues of leaves and stems, causing systemic disruptions in the physiological processes of the host plant.

The main crops most susceptible to this disease are members of the Asteraceae and Solanaceae families. In intensive farming, the infection is often found in the greenhouse sector, where high planting density and lack of proper air circulation contribute to the rapid spread of fungal spores.

Symptoms of the infection appear as characteristic irregular chlorotic spots with a clear border, which eventually darken and become covered with gray mold. In the later stages of the disease, necrosis of tissues, premature wilting of leaves, and pronounced deformation of young shoots are observed, which leads to a significant loss of decorative value or marketability of the produce.

The development and spread of the disease are favored by prolonged periods of high humidity (above 80%) and moderately warm temperatures in the range of 18–24°C. The pathogen's spores are easily carried by wind, water droplets during irrigation, or contaminated gardening tools, surviving in the soil and plant debris as resistant sclerotia.

The harm caused by burellenosis lies in a significant reduction in the photosynthetic activity of plants, which leads to growth retardation and the development of secondary infections. On an industrial scale, this can cause the loss of up to 30-40% of the crop if timely protective measures are not taken.

• Observance of crop rotation and plant spacing.
• Regular disinfection of tools and equipment.
• Removal and destruction of plant debris after harvesting.
• Preventive treatments with broad-spectrum fungicides.
• Humidity control in protected ground to prevent condensation.