Cochliobolus heterostrophus (anamorph, Bipolaris maydis) is a necrotophic, hetrothallic fungus which infects the leaves of maize. The species is subdivided into three races: race O, race T and race C. Race T is the most virulent to maize plants carrying the Texas cytoplasmic male sterile trait due to presence of approx. 1.2 Mb of DNA encoding genes for T-toxin production. Other members of the genus include the necrotrophic corn pathogen Cochliobolus carbonum, the oat pathogen, Cochliobolus victoriae, the rice pathogen, Cochliobolus miyabeanus, the sorghum pathogen, Bipolaris sorghicola, the sugarcane pathogen, Bipolaris sacchari, and the hemibiotrophic generalized cereal and grass pathogen, Cochliobolus sativus. All species mentioned above produce host selective toxins
