ACREMONIUM ROSEOGRISEUM - A NEW FUNGAL PATHOGEN OF MULBERRY (MORUS ALBA L.) FROM AIZAWL (MIZORAM)

Abstract

Aizawl (latitude23.42°N, longitude 92.94°E), a rainfed zone of North East India is locatedat 1132 meter above sea level (MSL), where total area under mulberry (Morus alba L.) is 5100hectare.In mulberry field incidence of Powdery mildew (Phyllactinia corylea) , Myrothecium leafspot ( Myrothecium roridum) and Leaf rust ( Perdiopsora mori) are predominating in this region. A newfoliar disease for the incidence of Acremonium roseogriseum, an endophyic fungus was observed. Thepathogen was identified from IARI, NewDelhi. Disease incidence appears in the month of Octoberand continues up to January. Disease symptoms are characterized by the presence of off white to ashcoloured felty mat on the ventral surface of leaves. The disease is severely affected all rulingmulberry cultivars ( viz, S1 and S1635) in Aizwal (Mizoram). Acremonium roseogriseum infecting theleaves of Mulberry is a new report from India