Occurrence of Leaf Blotch Disease (Botryosphaeria sp. ) in Ficus religiosa in Sri Lanka
Date
2009
Authors
Maharachchikumbura, S. S. N.
Adikaram, N. K. B.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Peradeniya
Abstract
This paper reports the occurrence of a leaf blotch disease in Ficus religiosa in Sri Lanka. The disease first appears as small, irregular, yellow specks in leaves at later stages of maturity and with time the infected areas become necrotic and gradually enlarge. At advanced stages the whole leaf turns yellow with brown blotches and is shed. The causal agent was identified as Botryosphaeria sp. The necrotic blotches are associated with erumpent fruiting bodies of the fungus, ascomata. Ascomata are solitary or botryose and are found on both sides of leaves. Asci are with numerous pseudoparaphyses and ascospores were observed. Colony developed on water agar medium showed hyaline, aseptate conidia and mature brown conidia. In the presence of leaf blight caused by Glomerella cingulata, the leaf blotch symptoms appeared much later, about 10-12 weeks after the new flush. The diseased leaves do not last long as F. religiosa, being a deciduous species, sheds leaves seasonally. However, the fallen leaves, unless eliminated, may provide a good source of inoculum for infection of the new flush. Commercial fungicide, BULLET 50, inhibited the in vitro growth of Botryosphaeria sp. This is the first report on a blotch disease attacking leaves of F. religiosa in Sri Lanka.
Description
Keywords
sacred fig , fungal disease , Botany , Ficus religiosa , Fungus
Citation
Ceylon Journal of Science ( Biological Science) Vol. 38, No. 22009 pp. 51-56