Survey of Alternaria alternate causing Leaf Spot of Bael and its Isolation, Purification and Identification of Fungi Associated with Disease

Author: Abhishek Singh, H.K. Singh, Shubham Patel and Jitendar Kumar

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Abstract

The bael tree, also known as the "Aegle marmelos", is a well-known and esteemed tree in India. The nation's cultural, religious, and medical traditions place a great importance on it. Aegle marmelos Correa, the fruit known as bael in India, belongs to the Rutaceae family and has chromosome number 2n=36 (n=18). Alternaria leaf spot of bael is now becoming an important menace in Uttar Pradesh and other parts of the country. Present investigations was undertaken to check area were Alterneria leaf spot of bael caused by Alternaria alternata is most prevailing in U.P. district is been check under survey study of alterneria leaf spot of bael, fungal isolation and purification was done to indentify the given pathogen as Alternaria alternate of bael. The pathogenic nature of purified Alternaria alternata was proved by artificial inoculation of bael leaves through spore-cum-mycelial suspension and Koch postulates was been proved. Survey was done for 16 district of Uttar Pradesh.Among the listed districts, Prayagraj consistently shows highest disease incidence and severity, with values increasing from 93.86% to 96.10% for disease incidence and from 50.10% to 51.22% for disease severity between 2022 and 2023. Least was seen in Ayodhya district for Pant Sujata germplasm lowest disease incidence and severity, with values increasing from 9.34% to 8.94% for disease incidence and from 7.84% to 7.64% for disease severity between 2022 and 2023 ND-AH-12 and ND-AH-27 also showed lower disease incidence and severity. Overall, the data shows that disease incidence and severity have generally increased across the districts and germplasms from 2022 to 2023. Some districts consistently show higher disease incidence and severity, while others maintain relatively lower levels. Further analysis is needed to identify the specific diseases and factors contributing to these patterns and to develop appropriate strategies for disease management and prevention. Survey conducted during 2022-23 showed that Alterneria blight of bael disease severity varied from 7.0 to 52.0%. The realm of arid crop research, particularly regarding the bael plant, has remained relatively unexplored. However, this survey data serves as a significant step towards filling this knowledge gap. By focusing on foliar diseases like Alterneria blight in bael, we have acquired valuable insights into the disease's prevalence and severity across various regions in Uttar Pradesh.

Keywords

Alternaria alternata, Aegle marmelos Correa, survey, isolation, purification, pathogenicity test

Conclusion

This study sheds light on the growing concern of Alternaria leaf spot, caused by Alternaria alternata, in bael trees, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, India. The bael tree holds immense cultural, religious, and medicinal significance in the region, making it imperative to address the threat posed by this disease. The research involved a comprehensive survey covering 16 districts of Uttar Pradesh, revealing varying degrees of disease incidence and severity.This newfound understanding not only aids in shedding light on the state of Alterneria blight but also lays the foundation for more targeted and comprehensive future studies. Armed with this data, researchers can make informed decisions about where to concentrate their efforts, ultimately advancing our understanding of this disease and its impact on bael crops.

References

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How to cite this article

Abhishek Singh, H.K. Singh, Shubham Patel and Jitendar Kumar (2023). Survey of Alternaria alternate causing Leaf Spot of Baeland its Isolation, Purification and Identification of Fungi Associated with Disease. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(9): 80-85.