The role of reactive oxygen in the development of Ramularia leaf spot disease in barley seedlings.

Ramularia collo-cygni is an ascomycete fungus that colonizes barley primarily as a benign endophyte, although this interaction can become pathogenic, causing the disease Ramularia leaf spot (RLS). Factors, particularly reactive oxygen species, that resulted in the transition of the fungus from endophyte to necrotrophic parasite and the development of disease symptoms were investigated.