The “Taxonomic Manual of the Erysiphales (Powdery Mildews)” is a fully revised, expanded version of Uwe Braun’s former monograph from 1987, which is out of print. The present book covers the taxonomy of all powdery mildew fungi. New chapters have been prepared for phylogenetic relationships, conidial germination, conidia as viewed by Scanning Electron Microscopy, fossil powdery mildews, and holomorph classification. The treatment of the Erysiphales, its tribes and genera are based on recent molecular phylogenetic classifications.

A key to the genera (and sections), based on teleomorph and anamorph characters is provided, supplemented by a key solely using anamorph features. Keys to the species are to be found under the particular genera. A special tabular key to species based on host families and genera completes the tools for identification of powdery mildew taxa. In total, 873 powdery mildew species are described and illustrated in 853 figures (plates). The following data are given for the particular species and subspecific taxa: bibliographic data, synonyms, references to descriptions and illustrations in literature, full descriptions, type details, host range, distribution and notes. A further 236 taxonomic novelties are introduced, comprising the new genus Takamatsuella, 55 new species, four new varieties, six new names and 170 new combinations. A list of excluded and doubtful taxa with notes and their current status is attached, followed by a list of references and a glossary.

This manual deals with the taxonomy of the Erysiphales worldwide, and provides an up-to-date basis for the identification of taxa, as well as comprehensive supplementary information on their biology, morphology, distribution and host range. This monograph is aimed at biologists, mycologists and phytopathologists that encounter or study powdery mildew diseases.

Taxonomic Manual of the Erysiphales (Powdery Mildews)

Position of the powdery mildews in the fungal system

History of the taxonomy of the Erysiphales

Classification of Erysiphaceae after Braun (1987a, 1995)

Proposed revised classification of the holomorph genera

Summary of revised classification

Subgeneric divisions (sections) within holomorphs
Revisions of species

Phylogeny

Fossil powdery mildews

Disease symptoms
Hyperparasites of powdery mildews

Characters of value for the taxonomy of powdery mildews

Anamorphs
Mycelium
Appressoria on the mycelium
Haustoria
Conidiophores
Conidia

Fibrosin bodies

Conidial germination

Categorisation of conidial germination types

Descriptions of conidial germination types

Importance of conidial germination patterns in identification
Standardisation of germination tests

Conidia as viewed by SEM
Classification of anamorph taxa

Summary of holomorph classification, conidial germination and SEM data

Teleomorphs

Chasmothecium development
Chasmothecium development based on TEM examination
Anatomy
Appendages
Asci and ascospores
The genera

Species identification

Extent of present knowledge and gaps to be filled

The keys

Key to the genera (and sections) based on teleomorph and anamorph data
Key to the genera (and sections) just based on anamorphs
Keys to the species based on host families

The descriptions

Erysiphales, Erysiphaceae

Parauncinula
Caespitotheca
Tribe Blumerieae, Blumeria
Tribe Cystotheceae

Subtribe Cystothecinae

“…nicely laid out manual deals with the taxonomy of the Erysiphales worldwide, and provides an up-to-date basis for the identification of taxa, as well as comprehensive supplementary information on their biology, morphology, distribution and host range. Should be available in all university libraries and any research laboratory dealing with plant pathology or mycology.”
—Fungal Diversity