Mycopathologia et Mycologia applicata, vol. 45, 3-4 pag. 317-325, 1971 FUNGI INTERCEPTED FROM ABROAD by ABDUL KAFI & MISS KHALIDA RlZVI ABSTRACT In a previous paper iungi intercepted on plant consignments imported from Afghanistan were described. The present paper gives an account of some more fungi t h a t have been intercepted from time to time on plants and plant material imported from different countries. Stigmina carpophila (Lev.) M. ]3. ELLIS On apricot fruits intercepted from Afghanistan at Jamrud, 1968. On fruits the infection in early stages showed small circular spots, purple in colour but later becoming raised and roughened. Sub-hyaline, septate and smooth walled mycelium in culture produced dark brown stromata which were partly superficial and partly immersed. Conidiophores arising from upper cells of the stromata were straight and sub-hyaline to pale brown. Conidia produced acrogenously were clavate ellipsoid or fusfform with truncate base and rounded or acute apex, sub-hyaline to brown. Basal cell of conidia hyaline sometimes forming a beak. Conidia were smooth walled with 2 to 7 dark transverse and occasionally 1 to 2 oblique or longitudinal septa measuring from 21.6 # to 65.0 # by 9.6 # to 14.4/, (Fig. 1). 50D Fig. t. Stigmina carpophila (Lxv.) M. ]3. ELLIS conidia on apricot fruits. Accepted for publication: 30.X.1970. 318 A. KAFI & x . I~IZVI Tile fungus causing coryneum blight disease on stone fruits, attacks different part of the host. Usually dormant buds, leaves and fruits m a y be severely attacked. The geographical distribution of the disease is wide but is important in parts of Europe, North America, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Afghanistan. In Pakistan the disease is known to occur in the northern region and causes considerable damage. Pestatoti@sis versicolor (SPEG.) STEYAER'r On betel nut leaves from Ceylon intercepted at Karachi airport, 1968. The fungus was isolated from betel nut leaves the whole of which was covered with oval, black, separate spots, surrounded b y light to dark brown outer region. On PDA, growth of the fungus was white and fluffy in early stages, later on black fruiting bodies covered the whole surface. Conidia were fusiform, straight or slightly curved, four septate, sIightly constricted at septa. Cells were unequal in size. E n d cells were hyaline the apical one bearing mostly 2 to 3 setae (in rare cases 4), the basal cell ending in a pedicel. Conidia measured from 21.6 # to 28.8 # in length and 4.8 # to 7.2 # in width. Setae measured 14.0 # to 31.2 #. Pedicel was 2.4 # to 9.6/, long (Fig. 2). F i g . 2. Pestalotiopsis versicolor (SPEG.) STEYAI~RT c o n i d i a o n b e t e l n u t l e a v e s . FUNGIINTERCEPTED 319 FROM ABROAD This species has recently been recorded in Pakistan on leaves of tea. Pestaloti@sis theae was the only species previously recorded in the country as the causal organism of Grey blight. Pestalotiopsis sp. Another species of Pestalotiopsis was also isolated from the same spots on betel nut leaves received from Ceylon which differed from P. versicolor in the size of pedicel and setae of its conidia. Conidia were 4 septate, sometimes constricted at each septum, middle cells brown to cinnamon brown. All cells were not concolourous, the second septum sometimes darker than others with the corresponding second cell also darker. Conidia measured from 19.2/, to 26.4/, and were fusiform, straight to slightly curved. E n d cells were hyaline, the apical one conoid bearing 1 to 3 setae measuring from 2.4 # to 14.1/~, basal cell ending in a pedicel measuring from 0-1.2 # 4.8 # (Fig. 3). 50JJ I Fig. 3. Pestalotzopsis sp. ............ ~| on betel n u t leaves. The species is nearest to P. palmarum but exhibits greater variation in setae which ranged from 2 . 4 / , t o 14.4/~ as against i1-13.75 # in case of P. palmarum. Similarly there is a greater variation in pedicel. It appears to be a new species. Sporidesmium macrurum (SAcc.) M. B. ELLIS On betel nut leaves from Ceylon, intercepted at Karachi airport, 1968. 320 A. KAFI • K. RlZVI Leaves appeared dried up, the apex being completely brown showing light and dark brown spots, indefinite in shape. Attempts to isolate the fungus on PDA and czapek Dox agar were not successful. On the host the conidiophores were in groups, dark brown, septate, simple, straight or curved measuring from 60.0 # to 120.0 # by 4.8 # with swollen spex of 6.0 # to 7.2/,. Proliferation in conidiophores was common. Conidia were borne acrogenously and were 2 to 4 septate, smooth, straight or curved with prominent hilum and conicotruncate base and acute apex. Basal cell was dark brown, becoming gradually pale brown to hyaline apex. The conidia measured 36.0 # to 60.0 # (Fig. 4). Fig. 4. Sporidesmium macrurum (SAcc.) ]~i. B. ELLIS conidia & conidiophores on betel n u t leaves. Sporidesmium macrurum is not known to occur in Pakistan. The fungus was first reported from Singapore as Helminthosporium macrurum but is now reported from a number of countl~ies attacking leaves and stalks of various palms but not Arecannt. E~icoccum cocos F. L. STEVENS This fungus was observed on the upper surface of betel nut leaves, from Ceylon. FUNGIINTERCEPT~D FROM ABROAD 321 Spots caused b y this fungus on the host were oval in shape, with light brown to dark brown zones. Central portion of the spot was dark brown and depressed covered with black granular mass. This central region surrounded b y light brown zone was encircled b y somewhat dark brown band. Margin of the spot was light brown. On the lower surface of the leaf the spots were black in the centre surrounded b y brown band. Sporodochium were black, scattered and measured 48.0 # to 98.6 # b y 36.4 # to 84.00 #. Conidiophores were small brown with blunt ends bearing a single conidium at tip. Conidia were small, oval to round, double walled, sub-hyaline to brown, smooth and measured from 2.4/~ to 4.8/~ b y 2.4/z to 4.8 # Epicoccum cocos produces same type of lesions on cocos. It is not recorded in Pakistan. Colletotrichum /alcatum WENT On sugarcane varieties imported from Philippine and grown in East Pakistan. Two species of Colletotrichum were isolated from these varieties. Colletotrichum/alcatum WENT, the causative agent of Red Rot of sugarcane was isolated from varieties Vesta, Q/61, Q/62, characterised by rotting of young shoots and dropping of leaves accompanied by Fig. 5. ColIetotrichum ]alcatum WENT (Glomerdla tucumanensis MOLLER) a c e r v u t u s & c o n i d i a on s u g a r c a n e . (SPEG.~ ARX 3"22 A. KAFI & K. RIZVI change in colour. With the progress of the disease, withering of leaves takes place and ultimately the whole cane withers and drops. Infected canes when split open showed reddened tissue, but the dried canes were covered with fruiting bodies or acervuli of the causal fungus. On PDA the acervuli were rather loose indefinite in shape measuring from 60.0 # to 120.0 # b y 48.0 # to 84.0/~. Setae were dark brown in colour, septate, broader at the base narrowing towards hyaline to subhyaline apex and measured from 67.0 # to 172.8/~. Conidia were hyaline, granular, crescent shaped measuring from 24.0 # to 31.2 # b y 2.4 # to 4.8 ~ with two guttules at either end (Fig. 5). The fungus is ubiquitous and is known to occur wherever sugarcane is grown sometimes causing serious damage. Colletotrichum sp. Isolated from sugarcane varieties imported from the Philippines and grown in East Pakistan. Another species of Colletotrichum was isolated from Philippines' varieties CAC-57111 and CAC-51 t 11 different from C. ]alcatum in size and shape of conidia which were smaller ranging from 4.8 # to 7.2 # and were oblong to elliptical, straight or curved (Fig. 6). The C.M.I. whom a culture was sent identified it as the Coltetotrichum state of Glomerella cingulata ( G T O N E M . ) GPAULD. and VoN SCHREN. in the broader concept of the genus. Fig. 6. CoIletotrichum s t a t e of Glomerelta cingulata ( S T o ~ ' ~ ) SPAULD. & SCHI~EI~K a c e r v u l u s & conidia o n s u g a r c a n e . FUNGIINTERCEPTED 323 FROM ABROAD Nigro@ora sacchari (Spgc.) MASON On sugarcane variety imported from the Philippines, and grown in East Pakistan. The cane showed some black, irregular patches and the fungus from these spots was identified as Nigrospora sacchari (SPire.) MASON. Mycelium on PDA creeping, at first white, ultimately becoming black, due to heavy mass of spores. Conidiophores arising from mycelium were very short jar shaped, brown, septate measuring from 12.0 # to 24.0 # by 4.8 # to 7.2/~. Conidia were round to oval, acrogenous, black in colour and measured from 12.0/, to 21.0 # and from 15.0 # to 18.0 # (Fig. 7). Fungus is not known to occur in Pakistan. 0 " © ° oo 50~J J' I Fig. 7. Nigrospora sacchari (SPRG.) MASO~ conidiophores & conidia from sugarcane. Podoxyphium sp. From sugarcane variety Vesta imported from the Philippines and grown in East Pakistan. Cane samples showed patches of black granular mass from where Podoxyphium sp. was isolated. Pycnidia in culture were pedicellate and ellipsoid with a wide opening at the t o p when mature (Fig. 8). Conidia were small hyaline somewhat cylindrical in shape, with two guttules at each end, and measured from 3.24 # to 0.56 # by 1.87 # to 3.21/~. The fungus is not of any economic importance. According to the C.M.I. report, very little is known about it in culture. 3"24 A. KA.FI ~ K. R I Z V I ' Fig. 8. T Podo.yphiurn sp. pycnidia & conidia from sugarcane. Circinella mucoroides SAITO Isolated from sugarcane variety Vesta imported from the Philippines and grown in East Pakistan. Sporangiophores arising from thick, hyaline non-septate mycelium were erect with lateral alternate, curved or coiled branches, tip of each lateral branch ending in a sporangium. Sporangia many spored with hyaline columella slightly concrescent at the base, cylindroconic in shape. Spores spherical to oval, smooth, hyaline, measured from 3.21 # to 7.50 # by 3.21 # to 7.50/t (Fig. 9). The above study reveals the increasing possibilities of introduction of new and exotic Plant Pathogens and establishing themselves in new surrounding through mass inovement of plant and plant material. In an effort to obtain quick increase in agricultural production particularly by the developing countries, stocks, seeds and other propagating material is being imported in large quantities. Although it cannot be positively stated, some of the species described above could be new introductions in the country. Importance of strict plant quarantine including post quarantine is self evident. The authors are grateful for the inspiration and facilities provided by the Plant Protection Adviser and Director, Department of Plant Protection, D~. HESHAMULHUQU~, T.I. Guidance of the Deputy Director, Plant Quarantine is also gratefully acknowledged. Thanks FUNGIINTERCEPTED FROM 325 ABROAD O0 o°O o 0 0© 5011 I,, I ! Fig. 9. Circinetla mucoroides SAITO sporangiophore & sporangia from sugarcane. are also due to the Commonwealth Mycological Institute for helping in the identifications. Summary Fungi obtained and isolated from plant material coming in from abroad and intercepted at Plant Quarantine Stations, have been described. Sugarcane sets were imported and grown in East Pakistan for a couple of years. Out of the ten species of fungi, at least four are not known to occur in Pakistan. References ELLIS, 3/I. B. (1958) Claslerosporium and some Allied Dematiaceae, Phragmosporae, I. MycologieaI Paper No. 70:53 pp. KAFI, A. & Miss IKI~ALIDARlZVt (1969) Fungi Intercepted from Afghanistan, Mycopath. et Mycol. Appl. 39: 359--366. STF,YAERT, R. L. (1953) New and old species of Pestalotiopsis. Trans. Brit. 2l~lycoL Soc. 36: 81--89.