Incidence and identification of foliar fungal pathogens from tea gardens of Sikkim using foldscope as research tool

Tea ( Camellia sinensis  (L.) O. Kuntze), is a popular beverage worldwide and it is prone to many diseases during its long-life span. A number of the fungal pathogen causes foliar diseases of tea, some of which cause serious damage to the existence of the tea plantations and have an adverse effect on the quality of tea beverages. The survey and reporting of the diseases are important to achieve the target of disease-free and good quality tea production. In the current study, Foldscope the cost-effective paper microscope is used as a research tool for the very first time to study the incidence and identification of fungal leaf spots, leaf blight diseases of Tea plants from Sikkim. After isolation and characterization of the fungal isolates, the incidence of Phytopathogens like  Cladosporium cladosporioides  (Fresen) G.A. de Vries,  Xylaria hypoxylon  (L.) Grev ., Colletotrichum  sp. aff.  C. Musae  (Berk. & M. A. Curtis) Arx/,  Colletotrichum coffeanum  F. Noack.,  Colletotrichum Spp., Rhizosphaera oudemansii  Maubl.,  Alternaria alternata  (Fr.) Keissl./  Fusarium sp. aff. F. fusarioides  (Gonz. Frag. & Cif.) C. Booth,  Exobasidium vexans  Massee was found to be associated with the leaf spot and leaf blight disease in the tea garden of Sikkim. And it is the first incidence report of foliar fungal pathogens from Tea plants of Sikkim, India. The result of these findings will help in the formulation of an effective disease management plan by the planters. The foldscope microscope being handy and cost-effective, it was used as an alternative diagnostic research tool for the basic study of microbial pathogens associated with the tea plants. It was found to be a good optional diagnostic/research tool to be carried around in the field in remote and resource-constrained areas.