Notes on Two Interesting Fungi from India

Arch. Protistenk. 125 (1982): 331-333

Botanical Survey of India, Allahabad

Notes on Two Interesting Fungi from India') By R. C.

SRIVAS'l'AVA

With 7 Figures

Summary A new species of a plant pathogenic fungus viz. Ascochyta roystonae SRIVASTAVA sp. nov. and a new combination viz. Leptoxyphium fumago (WORON.) SRIVASTAVA comb. nov., have been described.

During the course of an investigation on plant pathogenic fungi two interesting fungi were recorded of which one is new to science and other one deserves a proposal for new combination. The same are described as under: 1. Ascochyta roystoneae

SRIVASTAVA

sp. nov. Figs. 1-3

The symptoms of the disease were characterised as small circular to irregular spots, 3-8 mm in diam., grey coloured in centre of which the pycnidia of the fungus appeared in due course. The causal organism: Pycnidia glabrous, globose, subglobose to irregular in shape, occuring singly, usually subepidermal then erumpent with one opening which is slightly protruding or papillate, pycnidial wall relatively thin, outer cells darker and more thick-walled than hyaline inner cells. Conidia hyaline, sometimes yellow to pale brown, two celled, cylindrical or ellipsoidal in shape, 8.5---] 0.2 X 5--6.8 fJ-m in diam. On living leaves of Roystonea regia (H.B.K.) O..F. COOK, Ballin, 1978, Leg. R. C. SRIVASTAVA, 1MI 2278]9 a. Latin diagnosis: Ascochyta roustoneae SRIVASTAVA sp. nov. Pycnidia glabra, globosa, subglobosa ad irregularia, plerumque subepiderrnalia de in erumpentia, apertura unica parvum protrudenti vel papillata; pycnidii paries relative tonuis, cellulae, oxterioros fuscatae, pariet.ibus crassior-ibus, quam cellulis interioribus hyalinus. Conidia hyalin a, interdum lutea ad pallide brunea, bicellularia, cylindrica vel ellipsoidea 8.5 -10.2 X 5 - 6.8 p.u: diametro. Typus lectus in follis vivis Roystonea regia (H.B.K.) O. F. COOK, ad Ballin, anni 1978, a R. C. SRIVASTAVA, et positus in C.M.I., Kew, sub-numero IMI 227819 a. Specific epithet is based on host plant. 1) Work done at Botany dept., S.M.M. Town College, Ballin (U.P.).

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Figs. 4-7. L ept oxyphium [u maqo (WORO N. ) S RIV A STAV A co mb . no v . 4 -5. Figs. showing t ho structure of sy nn emata. 6. P h ialocon idia in slim y mass over t he expan de d head of synnemat a. 7. Phialo con idia.

333

Notes on Two Interesting Fungi from India

Leptoxyphiurn [umaqo (WORONICHIN) SRIVASTAVA comb. nov. Figs. 4-7 mqces [umaqo WORONICHIN (1926b), Ann. Mycol. 24: 2:U--264.

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Hyphae composed of more or less cylindrical cells, usually constricted at septa, forming an irregular net work, external layers of the irregular hyphal mass being deeply pigmented; Synnemata arising from the mass of repent hyphae made up of 10-15 hyphae, synnemata measuring 132--247.5 X 9.9--11.5,um in diam., 10--20 times longer than broad, synnematous hyphae mostly unbranched and the cells up to 5-6 times longer than broad. Synnemata usually swollen towards the base giving the appearance of pycnidia, forming an expanded, more 01' less funnel form head towards apex. Phialoconidia in slimy globose mass (26.4-29.7 ,am), 3.4 X 2.4,um in diam., phialoeonidia usually enlarging up to 6.6--2.4,um in diam., after being released from the slime mass, often becoming one septate and then 8.25--] 3,um X3.4-4.9,um in diam. On living leaves of Kigelia pinnata D.C., lBO, Calcutta, Nov. 78, Leg. R. C. SRIVASTAVA, INII No. 234998. Before the generic reorganisation by HUGHES (1976) this fungus was called as Coldariomqces iumaqo WORON. HUGHES (1976) dearly remarked that this fungus did not bear any pycnidia etc. (as reported by WORONICHIN (1926b), DWIVEDI (19601962)) but actually the distal ends of the synnemata reflect like that. But he also did not establish the correct specific epithet for this fungus. Present isolate was observed by Dr. B. C. SUTTON, C. M. 1., Kew, England, who pointed out "After the generic establishment by HUGHES (1976), although we have an acceptable generic name but the species is yet to be established". In view of the above observations and comments, the present new combination is proposed.

Acknowledgements Author is thankful to the Director and the Principal Mycologist, C.M.I., Kew, for their help in tracing the identity of these fungi.

Literature BII,GRAMI, K. S., JAMMALI,UDIN, and RIZWI, M. A.: Fungi of India, Part I. New Delhi 1979. DWIVEDI, R. S.: Additions to the records of Soil fungi. Proc, 47th Ind. Sci. Congo Part III (Abstract) (1960): 820. - A new report of Caldariomgces of Gossypium barbadense L. Sci & Cult. (1962): 448. HUGHES, S.•J.: Sooty moulds. Mycologia (1976): 693-821. SPEGAZZINI, C.: Notas micoligicas. Physis (Buenos Aires) 4 (1918): 281-295. \VORONICHIN, N. N.: Zur Kenntnis der Morphologie und Systematik der Russtaupilze Transkaukasiens. Ann. Mycol. 24 (1926): 231-264. Author's address: Dr. R. C. SRIVASTAVA, Botanical Survey of India, Allahabad· 211002, India.