Fungal attack
Introduction
A cryptogamic disease is a plant disease caused by a fungus or other parasitic filamentous organism (case of Oomycetes).
When the affected person is an animal, the disease is called mycosis.
Definition of cryptogamic disease
Historically, filamentous fungi and other filamentous organisms have been classified as cryptogamous plants. For this reason, the name "cryptogamic" has been used for plant diseases caused by this group of organisms.
The various forms of cryptogamic diseases account for approximately 90% of plant diseases.
General evolution of a cryptogamic disease
Pollution: fungal spores are deposited on plants (carried by the wind, for example), germinate and penetrate the interior of the tissues. The fungus passes through natural openings (stomata, lenticels), or enters through lesions on plants (especially those caused by insects), or is even capable of passing through the cuticle.
Incubation: the fungus branches and invades tissue cells or intercellular spaces.
Appearance and development of symptoms, accompanied by the fruiting of the fungus.
The attacked plant may languish (tissue necrosis, vessel obstruction...).
The products used to combat cryptogamic diseases are called fungicides.