Specialized infection strategies of falcate and oval conidia of Colletotrichum graminicola.

•Dormant falcate conidia generate a self-inhibitor of germination, whereas oval conidia do not.•Germling fusion is specific to oval conidia; however they can induce fusion in falcate conidia.•Network formation via germling fusion is correlated to successful disease induction by oval conidia.•Falcate conidia are efficient leaf pathogens without the requirement of a germling network.