Alternaria

Alternaria is a family of fungal pathogens affecting Trichocereus species. The infection physically manifests as distinct lesions that alternate light and dark colored on the epidermis that can eventually crack as the disease progresses. It causes severe, permanent scarring on the skin of the cactus.

Fungi of the genus Alternaria have been widely documented as a persistent, hard-to-eradicate pathogen. Alternaria lives in organic material in soil that is not fully decomposed and spreads in warm and humid conditions through water splashing from soil up onto columns or infected soil contact. Breaks in the plants outer skin or weak physical barriers of the column caused by nutrient deficiency can also allow the fungus to get a foothold. Nutrient imbalance susceptibility includes low levels of nitrogen, potassium and calcium, or high levels of Ammoniacal nitrogen. Alternaria is not spread by insects but can survive on seed from infected plants.

• Environmental Sensitivity: The pathogen spreads rapidly in damp garden conditions and is highly active during wet or rainy seasons.
• Watering: Soil splashing up onto the column while watering is an infection vector. Minimize splashing during watering.
• Surgical Management: If the infection is localized, growers recommend cutting the cactus to salvage the healthy tissue. The infected portion should be discarded immediately to prevent the fungus from spreading to neighboring plants.
• ** Repotting damage:** If the skin of the lower column near the soil line is broken during repotting or a column is buried too deeply, it can allow an infection to take hold. Watch for column damage and if spotted set aside to callous before repotting. Avoid raising the soil line significantly.
• Root Vulnerability: If the infection establishes below the soil line near the root system, it is typically fatal; the plant may rot internally and die before showing outward signs of collapse.
• Chemical Treatment: The systemic fungicide propiconazole has been proven by community members to be an effective treatment, though it is not safe for food crops. The surface contact fungicide Mancozeb is effective to apply topically to halt spread. Serenade, a B. Subtillis fungicide, will kill the fungus in contaminated soil but not within the plant.