First Report of Fusarium proliferatum Causing Rot of Onion Bulbs (Allium cepa L.) in India

A rot disease was observed on onion bulbs in major growing areas of Kadapa and Kurnool districts of Andhra Pradesh, India during 2010 to 2012. Based on pathogenicity, morphology and ribosomal DNA spacer sequences, the pathogen was identified as Fusarium proliferatum (Matsushima) Nirenberg. The fungus was isolated from onion bulbs presenting purple and reddish lesions, obtaining F. proliferatum consistently. The fungus produced effuse white colonies, branched hyphae, short conidiophores, slightly curved macroconidia, and single celled microconidia measuring 5.6-10.5 X 2.0-3.5 μm in diameter. Morphological identification of the fungus was confirmed using ribosomal DNA sequence data. Kotch’s postulates were confirmed by performing pathogenicity test on healthy onion bulbs. This is the first report of F. proliferatum causing rot disease on onion bulbs in India; although it had already been reported for onion in the USA and Serbia.Keywords: Onion bulbs; Rot disease; Fusarium proliferatum; Pathogenicity; rDNA - IT

Additions to black mildews of Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, India

This paper gives an account of seven black mildew fungi belonging to the genera Asterina, Prillieuxina, Sarcinella and Schiffnerula. Of these, Sarcinella chloroxyli and Sarcinella strychni are the new species while the others are reported for the first time from Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, India

Occurrence of Melampsora gelmii

A rust fungus attack was observed on Tree Spurge (Euphorbia dendroides) in two regions of southern Italy. Uredinia and telia of a Melampsora species were detected on the leaves, bracts of the cyathia and capsules of E. dendroides. On the basis of the morphological characteristics and rDNA ITS sequences of the above mentioned structures, the fungus was identified as M. gelmii. This report suggests that M. gelmii seems to be a specific taxon in the M. euphorbiae complex and to be more widespread than previously detected in Italy. Further investigations within the M. euphorbiae complex would be desirable in order to elucidate the identity of M. gelmii as a peculiar form of a still poorly explored species