Occurrence of Black Mildew on Aegle marmelos at Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

The leaves of Aegle marmelos were found infected with black mildew during a routine mycological survey at district Bilaspur, a south west region of Himachal Pradesh. Fungal colonies form infected leaves were analysed for morphological and microscopic studies. Nail polish technique was used to study the colonies in situ. Presence of unicellular appressoria with sarciniform and Questieriella conidial anamorphic states identified it as the fungus belongs to genus Schiffnerula. Further investigation identified it as Schiffnerula girijae Hosag. & Archana. The fungus is reported previously form Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India on the same host (A. marmelos) but no reports from other parts of the country. Therefore, this is the second report of black mildew on Aegle marmelos form India while first from north India.