Some new foliicolous ascomycetes from northern India - TBGRI

Indian Phytopath. 57 (3) : 287-295 (2004)
Some new foliicolous ascomycetes from northern India
SURESH J. GAWANDE, D.K. AGARWAL and V.B. HOSAGOUDAR*
Division of Plant Pathology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012
'Tropical Botanical Garden and Research Institute, Palode, Kerala 695 562
ABSTRACT: In the present paper five new species and three varieties of foliicolous ascomycetous fungi have
been described from various localities of Northern India. These are Asterina lawsonii on Lawsonia alba L.,
Meliola dehradunensis on Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br., M. capensis (Kalch. and Cooke) var. dimocsrpi var.
novo on Dimocarpus longan L., M. desmodii triangularis on Desmodium triangularae (Retz.) Merr., M. desmodii
triquetri on D. triquetrum DC., M. panici Earle. var. vetivericola var. novo on Vetiveria zizanoides (L.) Nash, M.
strychnii-nuxvomicae on Strychnos nux-vomica L. and Pleospora vagans var. aconitii var. nov. on Aconitum
sp.
Key words: Ascomycetes, foliicolous fungi, Asterina, Meliola, Pleospora
The specimens were collected from Northern alternate, globose to ovate, entire, rarely slightly
regions of India comprising parts of Himachal angular, 5.0-8.0 X 4.0-6.0 ~m. Thyrothecia scattered,
Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Delhi. Of these collections, often loosely grouped, orbicular, up to 95.0 ~m
one new species of Asterina, four new species, two diameter, stellately dehisced at the centre, crenate
new varieties of Meliola and a new variety of at the margin. Asci few to many, globose,
Pleospora have been described and illustrated. octosporous, up to 25.0-35.0 ~m in diameter,
1. A s.erlna ~. l .. G d & A I
aWSOnll awan e garwa, sp..
ascospores oblong,
.
brownish conglobate,
(PI t 1 d F . 1 ) uniseptate, constricted at the septum, 15.0-19.0 X
novo a e an Ig.
6.0-10.0 ~m .
Coloniis fere epiphyllae, tenuae, confluentibus, .
ad 3 mm in diam. Hyphae rectus vel flexuosus, SEM studies show that the surface of
ramosae adversum, alternata vel irregulares et acuta thyrothecia is echinulated, its cells are forming
vel late angulus, laxae reticulatae cellulae 17.0- ridges and furrows and projecting upwards. SEM of
25.0 X 4.0-6.0 ~m. Hyphopodiales unicellulares, ascospores and hyphae are in confirmity with the
numerosi, alternata, globosa vel ovata, integer, raro observations of light microscopy.
d. parce angulares, , 5.0-8.0 X 4.0-6.0 ~m. Thyrotheciae Th .
I f . b . I d 95 0 lessen
(1913)
repo
rt
e
d A
.
/,
awsomae
. P
.
H
enn.
i Issemlnatus, axe asclatus, ar ICU ares a . & E N L .. L. ! d. t II t t .. A . . ym. on . Inermls Inn. However, the
~m lam., sea us, crenatus e marglnls. SCI '. .
I' I It . I b t d 25 0 35 0 present collection clearly differs from A. lawsomae
a Igove
d.
mu I, go
A
osus, oc osporous
bl
a
b
. -. ..
in size f 0 ascospore. (17 0 20 0 X 6 5 8 0 -. . -. ~m ) an d
~m lam. scospore 0 on gus, runnus,
I b t . t t t . t t t t
cong 0 a us, unlsep a e, cons rlc 0 e sep a um,
15.0-19.0 X 6.0-10.0 'm.
~
. . .
in having echinulate surface of ascospore. Song
.
and Tal (2002) reported A. lawsonicola on Lawsonia
alba L. from China. The present material differs
Colonies mostly epiph~llous, thin, confluent, with A. lawsonicola in having relatively smaller
upto 3 mm in diameter. Hyphae straight to flexuous, thyrothecia (150.0~m) and ascospores size '( 15.0-
branching opposite, alternate to irregular at acute 17.0 X 5.5-8.0 ~m). On the basis of these differences
to wide angles, loosely reticulate, cells 17.0 -25.0 a new epithet "Iawsonii" has been proposed for the
X 4.0-6.0 ~m. Hyphopodia unicellular, many, proposed new species.

288 Indian Phytopathology [Vol. 57(3) : 2004]
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Fig. 1. Aster;na lawson;;
.,,~
6 '.i:;
(( ,,;,;;
a: Hyphopodia, b: Thyrothecium, c: Ascospores
t
Plate 1. Aster;na lawson;; Colonies amphigenous mostly epiphyllo s
a) LM of thyrothecia (100X), b) SEM of thyrothecia, d I ty t 4 '. d.
h h u,
c) LM of ascospores (400X), d) SEM of en~e, ve ve , up 0 mm In lame er, yp ae
ascospores, e) SEM of hyphae straight, branching opposite, at acute to wide
angle, loosely to closely reticulate, 15.5-22.0 X 5.5-
7.0 I.Jm. Hyphopodia opposite, crowded to sparse,
Material examined: On living leaves of 12.0-14.0 I.Jm long; stalk cells cuneate, 3.0-5.0 I.Jm
Lawsonia alba L. (Ly1hraceae), Delhi, 16 May, long; head ceJls concid, rarely broadly rounded at
2001, Coil., S.J. Gawande, HCIO -44910 (typus). the apex, entire, 7.0-12.0 X 6.0-9.0 I.Jm. Phial ides
.. . mixed with hyphopodia, alternate to opposite,
2. Mellola capensls (Kalch and Cooke) Theiss. II.f 13 0- 10 0 M I .
15 5 X 6 0-
d . . G d A I & H ampu I orm, . . . . I.Jm. yce la
var. Imocarpl awan e, garwa osag. .
(PI t 2 d F . 2) setae scattered, straight, acute to obtuse at the
var. novo a e an Ig. . 390 0 420 0 I P . h .
tip, . - . I.Jm ong. erlt ecla verrucose,
Coloniis amphigenae plerumque epiphyllae, loosely grouped, upto 177 I.Jm in diameter.
densae, velvetae, ad4 mm diam., Hyphae rectae, Acospores brown, smooth, oblong, 4 septate,
ramosae oppositae, et acute que vellaxe, laxe vel constricted, 32.0-38.0 X 12.0-15.0 I.Jm in size.
anguste reticulatae cellulae, 15.5-22.0 X 5.5 -7.0
. .
I.Jm. Hyphopodla Opposlta, congestus vel sparsus,
.
12.0-14.0 I.Jm longa; cellulae basllares cuneatae,
3 0 5 0 I . II I . I .d.
. -. I.Jm onga, ce u ae aplca es conci ,
. .
plerumque late roundata et aplce, Integratae 7.0-
120 X 6090 Ph. I.d . t . t
. . -. I.Jm. la I es In ermlx ae co
P .th . d .
erl ecla appeare verrucose In na ture un der
SEM .th .t rf II .d d . t.
WI I S su ace ce s conol an proJec Ing
.
outside. The morphology of ascospores, hyphae,
d h h d ' , f .t .
an yp opo la was In con orml y WI th th e
b t. f I. ht .
o servalonso Ig microscopy.
hyphopidiae, altematae vel oppositae, ampulliformes, Hosagoudar and Goos (1990) reported M.
13.0-15.5.0 X 6.0-10.0 I.Jm. Setae myceliales capensis on leaves of Nephelium long an Lour.
dispersae, recta, acuta vel obtusa at apice, 390.0- However, the present studies reveal that M. capensis
420.0 I.Jm longa. Perithecia verrucosus, dispersa var. dimocarpi differs from M. capensis in length
vel laxe aggregata, ad 177.0 I.Jm diam. Ascospora and morphology of mycelial setae. Mycelial setae
brunnus, oblong a, 4-septate, constrictae, 32.0-38.0 are dentate in M. capensis while these are acute in
X 12.0-15.0 I.Jm. var. dimocarpi and the length is 658.0 I.Jm in M.
I
I

~':~i,~:';{~
[Vol. 57(3) : 2004] Indian Phytopathology 289
a b"~
c d
I:.., t': . ,'..
.~;.:'
I:~;.. '.', .. . ,.::: ..j,
."
C '."
e Fig. 2. M. capensis var. dimocarpi
Plate 2. M. capensis var. dimocarpi A: Hyphopodia, b: Phial ides, c: Ascospore,
\-i
~o J1~
a) SEM of ascospore, b) LM of ascospore d: Mycelial setae
(400X) , c) SEM of hyphae d) LM of hyphae
(100X), e) SEM of perithecia
myceliales rectus vel obtusus, non ramosus, ad
. . . . 614.0 I.Jm longa. Perithecia dispersa, ad 137.0 I.Jm
c~pensls ,-:,her~as I~ IS 390.0- 420.0.l.Jm In the va~. diam. Ascospora brunnus, oblonga, cylindrica,
dlmocarpl. Perlthecla are scattered In M. capensls subconstricta at septata, 32.0-40.0 X 10.0-18.0
whereas they are loosely grouped in M. capensis I.Jm.
var. dimocarpi. On the basis of these variations a
new epithet 'dimocarpi' is proposed, thus warranting Colonies epiphyllous, dense, velvety, confluent,
creation of a new variety on Dimocarpus longan. hyphae straight to flexuous, branching opposite to
. . . . alternate at acute to wide angle, cells 22.0-34.5 X
Material examined: On living leaves of 6.0-9.0 bJm. Hyphopodia alternate, opposite, straight
Dimocarpus longan L. (Sapindaceae ), Dehradun, to usually curved, antrose, 12.5-19.0 I.Jm long, stalk
Uttaranchal., 23rd Oct. 2002, Coil., S.J. Gawande, cells cuneate, 2.0-6.50 I.Jm long; head cells ovate,
HCIO- 44911 (typus). globose, 10.0-12.5 X 8.0-10.0 I.Jm. Phial ides mixed
3. Me/io/a dehradunensis Gawande & Agarwal with hyphopodia, alternate to opposite, ampulliform,
sp. novo (Fig.3 and Plate 3) 15.0-20.0 X 9.0-11.0 I.Jm. Mycelial setae straight to
obtuse, simple, upto 614.0 I.Jm long. Perithecia
Coloniis epiphyllae, densae, velutinus, confluent, verrucose, loosely grouped, upto 137.0 I.Jm in
ad 5 mm diam. Hyphae rectus vel flexuosus, diameter. Ascospore brownish, smooth, slightly
oppositus vel alternatus ad acuta vel latus angulus constricted at the septa, 32.0-40.0 X 10.0-18.0 I.Jm
ramosus, cellulae 22.0-34.5 X 6.0-9.0 I.Jm. in size.
Hyphopodia alternata, opposita, recta vel plerumque
curvata, 12.5-19 .0 I.Jm 10Qga; cellulae basilares SEM revealed perithecial bodies verrucose in
cuneata 2.0-6.5 I.Jm longa; cellulae apicales ovata, nature with its surface cells conoid and projecting
globosa, 10.0-12.5 X 8.0-10.0 I.Jm. Phial ides outside. The morphology of ascospores, hyphae
intermixtae hyphopodiae, alternatae vel oppositae, and hyphopodia are in conformity with the
ampuliformae, 15.0-20.0 X 9.0-11.0 I.Jm. Setae observations of light microscopy.
b
d

290 Indian Phytopathology [Vol. 57(3) : 2004]
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Plate 3. M. dehradunensis
Fig. 3. M. dehradunensis a) SEM of ascospore
a: Hyphopodia, b: Phialides, c: Ascospore, b) LM of ascospore (400X)
d: Mycelial setae c) LM of hyphae (100X)
d) SEM of hyphae
Thite and Kulkarni (1978) and Hosagoudar and
Goos (1991) reported M. alstoniae on Alstonia 6.0-9.0 X 6.0-1 0.0 ~m. Phialides intermixtae
scholaris from Western and Southern India. The hyphopodiae alternatae vel oppositae, ampuliformae
present studies revealed that M. dehradunensis 10.0-12.0 X 6.0-8.5 ~m. Setae mycsliales aggregatae
differs with M. alstoniae in colony characters while circa perithicia, rectus vel curvatus, dentatae, ad
as colonies are amphigenous in M. alstoniae they 270.0 ~m longae. Perithicia dispersa, verrucosae,
are epiphyllous in M. dehradunensis. Phial ides are ad 90.0 ~m diam., Ascosporae brunnus, cylindricae
borne on separate mycelial branches in M. alstoniae vel oblongae, sub constrictae, 40.0-45.0 ~m 15.0while
in M. dehradunensis these are mixed with 18.0 ~m.
hyphopodia. T.he size of perithecia (207.0 ~m), Colonies epiphyllous, thin, crustose up to 2
length of mycelial setae (441.0 ~m~ and ascospores mm in diameter. Hyphae undulate, branching
(30.0-3?0~, 12.0-15.0 ~~),,~Iso differ. Therefore, a opposite at wide angles, loosely to closely reticulate
new epl~het 'dehradunensls IS proposed on Alstonia cells, 20.0-39.0 X 5.5- 7.0 ~m. Hyphopodia alternate,
scholans. opposite curved, mostly antrose, 8.0-12.0 ~m long;
Material examined: On living leaves of Alstonia stalk cell cylindrical to cuneate, 2.0-3.5 ~m long;
scholaris (L.) A.Br. (Apocynaceae). Dehradun, head cells globose, ovate, entire, 6.0-9.0 X 6.0-10.0
Uttaranchal, 23rd Oct., 2002, Coli., S.J. Gawande, ~m. Phialides mixed with hyphopodia, alternate to
HCIO - 44913 (typus). opposite, ampuliform, 12.0-15.0 X 6.0-8.5 ~m.
Mycelial setae grouped around perithecia, straight
4. Meliola desmodii-triangularis Gawande & to curved, dentate, upto 270.0 ~m long. Perithecia
Agarwal sp. novo (Plate 4 and rig. 4) scattered, verrucose, up to 90.0 ~m in diameter.
Coloniis epiphyllae, rarae, crustosus ad 2 mm Ascos~ore brownish, smooth, obovoidal, slightly
diam. Hyphae undatus, oppositus ad latus angulus constricted 40.0-45.0 X 15.0-18.0 ~m.
ramosus, cellulae laxe vel anguste reticulatae, Perithecia revealed its verrucose nature with its
20.0-39.0 X 5.5-7.0 ~m. Hyphopodia alternata, surface cells conoid and projecting outside under
opposita, cu rvata , fere antrosa 8.0-12.0 ~m longa; SEM. The morphological observations of ascospores,
cellulae basilares cylindrica vel cuneata 2.0-3.5 ~m hyphae and hyphopodia are in conformity with the
longa; cellulae apicales globosae, ovatae, integrae observations of light microscopy.
-

[Vol. 57(3) : 2004] Indian Phytopathology 291
a
,
, ..
Fig. 4. M. desmodii-traingularis
a: Hyphopodia, b: Phial ides, c: Ascospore,
d: Mycelial setae
Material examined: On living leaves of
Desmodium triangularae (Retz.) Merr.
(Papilionaceae), Dehradun, Uttaranchal; 24 Oct.,
2002, Coil., S.J. Gawande, HCIO. 44914 (typus).
5. Me/iota desmodii-triquetri Gawande, Agarwal
& Hosag. sp. novo (Plate 5 and Fig. 5)
Coloniis amphigenae, plerumque epiphyllae,
densae, ad 4 mm diam. Hyphae subrectus,
b oppositus and latus angulus ramosus, cellulae
25.0-34.5 X 5.0-9.0 I.Jm. Hyphopodia alternata,
Plate 4. M. desmodii-triangularis opposita, fere curvata, antrosa, 12.0-15.0 I.Jm longa;
a) SEM of perithecia with ascospores cellulae basilares cylindricae vel cuneatae, 2.0-5.0
b) SEM of hyphae I.Jm longa; ceiliae apicales globosae, ovatae,
. .
Hansford (1961), Srlnlvasulu (1974), Hosagoudar
integrate 9.0-11.0 X 8.5-13.0 I.Jm; Phial ides borne in
discretae ramosae mycelium, opposi!ae,
a~d Goos (1991) r~ported M. bicomison ~es~odium ampuliforme, 12.0-14.0 X 6.0-9.0 I.Jm. Setae
trIquetrum, D.. tnangularae and D. teftfofta. Th.~ myceliales aggregatae, circaperithecie, nonramosa,
p~esent .stu?les showed ~hat.~. des~odll- rectus, acuta vel obtusa and apicem, ad 270.0 I.Jm
tna~gu/~ns differs fro.m M. ~/cor~/s In th~ size of longa. Perithecia dispersa vel laxe aggregate, ad
perlth~cla (223..0 I.Jm In M. blcorms). The tlPtOf.the 130.0 I.Jm diam. Ascosporae brunnus, obovoidae
mycelial setae IS acute to obtuse and are s.ralght vel oblongae, constrictae 31.0-38.0 X 12.5 -15.5
in M. bicornis whereas ~he tip of the ~~c~lial set~e
is dentate and curved In M. desmodll-tnangulans.
I.Jm.
The size of ascospores also significantly differs Colonies amphigenous, mostly epiphyllous,
from M. bicomis (33.0-40.0 X 12.0-15.5 I.Jm) whereas dense, up to 4 mm in diameter. Hyphae substraight,
it is 43.0-48.0 X 15.0-18.0 I.Jm in M. desmodii- branching opposite, at wide angles, cells 25.0-34.5
triangularis. Based on these variations a new species X 5.0-9.0 I.Jm. Hyphopodia alternate, opposite,
desmodii-triangularis on Desmodium triangularae is usually curved, antrose 12.0-15.0 I.Jm long; head
proposed. cells globose, ovate, entire, 9.0-12.0 X 8.5-13.0
l1

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! 292 Indian Phytopathology [Vol, 57(3) : 2004]
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a b "
",
,::
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:::! ,:: ~,~:
:: ~,',':' '~:,:
d" ,.,~
Cd:': c
"
Fig. 5. M. desmodii-triquetri
a: Hyphopodia, b: Phial ides, c: Ascospore,
d: Mycelial setae
e
Plate 5. M. desmodii-triquetri desmodii triquetri while in the case of M. bicornis
a) LM of perithecia (100X) ascospores are obovoidal only. The tip of mycelial
b) SEM of perithecia setae is obtuse in M. bicornis whereas it is acute
c) SEM of ascospore in M. desmodii-triquetri. Mycelial branching is acute
d) LM of ascospore (400X) in M. bicornis but in M. desmodii triquetri it is at
e) LM of hyphae (400X) wide angles. A new epithet "desmodii-triquetri" has
, ,
~m; stalk cells, cylindrical to cuneate, 2.0-5.0 ~m
been proposed based on these variations. Thus
warranting creation of a new species on Desmodium
10ng.Phialides borne on mycelial branches, opposite,
ampulliform, 12.0-18.0 X 6.0-10,0 ~m. Mycelial
triquetrium DC,
setae grouped around perithecia, simple, straight, Material examined: On living leaves of
acute at the tip, up to 270.0 ~m long. Perithecia Desmodium triquetrium DC. (Papilionaceae),
verrucose, grouped, upto 130.0 ~m in diameter, Dehradun, Uttaranchal, 240ct.,2002, Coli., S.J,
ascospore brownish, smooth, obvoidal to ablong, Gawande, HCIO 44915 (typus)
constricted at septa, 31,0-38.0 X 12.5 -15.5 ~m 6. Me I 10 " 1 a panlcl . " Ear Ie var. ve t Ivenco ". 1a
Perithecia revealed its verrucose nature with its Gawande, Agarwal & Hosag, var. novo (Plate 6
surface cells conoid and projecting outside under and Fig. 6)
SEM. The'observations of ascospores, hyphae and
h h d ' , f 't 'th th b t .
yp opo la are In con orml y WI e 0 serva Ions
f I' ht '
0 Ig microscopy.
C I " , h II d 2 4 d'
0 OnilS eplp y ae, ensae, - mm lam.
H h I b '
yp ae rectus ve su rectus, opposite acuteque
,
vellaxe ramosae, {jense'retlculatae, cellulae 22,0-
Hansford (1961), Srinivasulu (1974), Hosagoudar 60.0 X 7.0-9.0 ~m. Hyphopodia alternata, rectus vel
and Goos (1991) reported Meliola bicornis on curvatus, antrosa vel recurvata, 17,0- 24.0 ~m
Desmodium triquetrum, D. triangularae, D. telifolia longa; cellulae basilares 6,0-1 0.0 ~m longae, cellulae
DC. and 0, velutinium (Willd.) DC. The present apicales ovatae vel globosae, integral, angularae
studies showed that M. desmodii-triquetri differs vel sublobatae, 11,0-17.0 X 12,0-15.5 ~m, Phialides
from M, bicornis in the size of perithecia (223.0 borne in discretae ramose mycelium alternata vel
~m). The perithecia are scattered in M, bicornis adversa, ampuliformae, 18.0-20.0 X 7.0-10.0 ~m.
Wint. where as they are grouped in M. desmodii- Setae myceliales rectus, nonramosa, acuta, ad
triquetri; ascospores are oblong to obovoidal in M, 300.0 ~m longa. Peritheciae fere agg regatae ,

-- ~
[Vol. 57(3) : 2004] Indian Phytopathology 293
, a t~;c" v
i 1
50 pm
Fig. 6. M. panici var. vetivericola
b c a: Hyphopodia, b: Phial ides, c: Ascospore
Plate 6. M. panici var. vetivericola , , ,
a) SEM of hyphae ascospore, 38.0-45.0 X 15.0-18.0 I.Jm In M, panic!
b) LM of ascospore (400X) var. vetivericola where as it is 34.0-37.0 X 12.0 -
c) SEM of ascospore 14.0 I.Jm in M. panici. The tip of mycelial setae is
acute in var. vetivericola, whereas it is obtuse in M.
verrucosae, ad 149.0 I.Jm diam. Ascosporae brunnus, panici. These characters are distinct from any
obovoidae, oblongae, septatae, constrictae at other existing varieties of M. panici. A new epithet
septata, 38.0-45.0 X 15.0-18.0 I.Jm. 'vetivericola' is proposed on the basis of these
, ,
Colonies eplphyllous,
,
dense, 5.0-10.0 mm In
variations.
variety,
Thus warranting a creation of a new
diameter, hyphae straight to substraight, branching
opposite at acute to wide angles, closely reticulate, Material examined: On living leaves of
cells 22,0- 60.0 X 7.0-9.0 I.Jm. Hyphopodia alternate, Vetiveria zizanoides (L.) Nash. (Graminae)
opposite, straight to curved, antrose to recurved, Dehradun, Uttaranchal., 240ct., 2002, Coli., S.J.
17.0- 24.0 I.Jm long; stalk cells 6.0-10.0 I.Jm long; Gawande, HCIO. 44916 (typus)
head cells ovate to globose, entire, angular to
bl b t 11 0-
17 0 X 12 0-15 5 Ph' I'd
su 0 ae, .. .. I.Jm. lal es
borne on a separate mycelial . branch, alternate to
7.
. .. .
Mehola strychnll-nux vomicae Gawande,
A I & H (F'
9 arwa osa 9 . s P . novo I. 9 7)
opposite, ampuliform, 18.0-20.0 X 7,0-10.0 I.Jm. Coloniis amphigenae, plerumque hypophyllae,
Mycelial setae, straight, simple, acute, up to 300.0 subdensae, ad 2 mm diam., confluentes. Hyphae
I.Jm long. Perithecia mostly grouped, verrucose, subrectae, flexuosae vel anfractuae, opposite vel
upto 149.0 I.Jm in diameter. Ascospores brownish, irregulariter acuteque vel 1axe ramosae, laxe
smooth, obovoidal, oblong, 4 septate, constricted reticulatae, cellulae 16.0-20.0 X 6.0-8.0I.Jm.
at septa, 38.0-45.0 X 15.0-18.0 I.Jm. Hyphopodia alternata, minusve 1 % opposita,
P 'th ' I d .t t .th .t
erl ecla revea e I s verrucose na ure WI IS,
rf II 'd d ' t ' t .d b
su ace ce s conol an proJec Ing ou Sl e y
SEM Th b t' f h h d
. e 0 serva Ions 0 ascospores, yp ae an
h h d' , f 't 'th th It
yp opo la are In con orml y WI e resu s
bt ' d b I, ht '
0 alne y Ig microscopy.
ant rosa, subantrorsa vel recurvata, 17.0-26.0 I.Jm
,
longa; cellulae basllares cyllndraceae vel cuneatae,
,.
6.0-10.0 I.Jm longae, cellulae aplcales ovatae,
. ,
oblongae, Integrae vel agnularlae, attenuatae vel
, ,
truncatae ad aplcem, 11.0-16 X 8.0-12.0 I.Jm.
Ph ' I'd h h d" t '
la I es numerosae, yp opo la In ermlx tae ve I
The present material is compared with M. oppositae, ampulliformes, 12.0-20.0 X 6.0-8.0 I.Jm.
panici Earle described on Centotheca lappacea Setae myceliales dispersae vel juxta perithecia
(HCIO 30555) & is found to differ in size of aggregatae, simplices, rectae, curvulae vel

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ii, 294 Indian Phytopathology [Vol, 57(3) : 2004]
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! :"
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Fig. 8. Pleospora vagans var. acotinii
" a: Asci, b: Ascospore, c: Perithecium
~ ~ c, '" The results obtained showe~ that has comparati~ely
d '!, :~, closely arranged hyphopodla, shorter and straight
t~~ j, to uncinate mycelial setae which differ from the
'" C known species. Based on these characters a new
Fig. 7. M. strychinii-nux vomici species of Meliola with the epithet" strychnii-nux
a: Hyphopodia, b: Phial ides, c: Ascospore,
d: Mycelial setae
vomicae is proposed.
Material examined: On leaves of Strychnos
nux-vomica L. (Strychnaceae), Mussoorrie, (UA)
uncinatae, acutae ad apicem, ad 350.0 ~m longae. Oct. 23, Coil., S.J. Gawande, HCIO 43818 (typus).
Perithecia dispersa vel laxe aggregata, ad 130 ~m . ..
diam. Ascosporae brunnus, cylindraceae, 4- 8. Pleospora vagans ~ar. acomt// Gawande, &
t t t . t 30 0-32 0 X 12 0-15 0 11m Agarwal. var. novo (Fig. 8)
sep a ae, cons rlc ae, .. .. t' .
. = P. vagans Niessl., Verno Naturf Vero Brunno
Colonies amphlgenou~, m?stly hypophyllous, 14: 174, 1876.
subdense, up to 2 mm In diameter, confluent.
Hyphae substraight, flexuous to crooked, branching Stroma pseudotheciales, perniger, disponositum i
opposite to irregular at acute to wide angles, in polystichus, 0.1-0.5 mm in diam. Pseudotheciae !
loosely reticulate, cells 16.0-20.0 X 6.0-8.0 ~m. setosae, immersum transeuns superficialae,
Hyphopodia alternate, less than 1 % opposite, depressum globosae ad 200.0-230.0 ~m latae;
antrorse to subantrorse, recurved, 17.0 - 26.0 ~m Asci bitunicatae 8 ascosporae, biseriatae, 100.0-
long; stalk cells cylindrical to cuneate, 6.0-10.0 ~m 120.0 X 15.0-24.0 ~m. Ascosporae 5 septatae co
long; head cells ovate, oblong, entire to angular, univerticalis septatum, colligatio and 3rd septatum
attenuated to truncate at the apex, 11.0-16.0 X 8.0- roundata ad ambi terminales, 20.0-25.0 X 6.0-10.0
12.0 ~m, philides numerous mixed with hyphopodia, ~m.
alternate to opposite, ampuliform, 12.0-20.0 X 6.0-
8 . 0 ~m. 0.1-0.5 Stroma mm pseudothecial, in diameter, black Pseudothecia arranged in setose, rows,
Mycelial setae scattered to grouped around immersed becoming superficial, depressed, globose,
perithecia, simple, straight, curved to uncinate at 200.0-230.0 ~m broad; Asci bitunicate, club-shaped
the tip, upto 350 ~m long. Perithecia scattered to with distinct basal foot, ascospores 8, biseriately
loosely grouped, upto 130 ~m in diameter. arranged, 100.0-120.0 X 15.0-24.0 ~m, 5 septate
Ascospores cylindrical, four septate, smooth, with 1 vertical septum, constricted at 3rd septum,
., brownish constricted at the septa, 30.0-32.0 X rounded at both the ends, 20.0-25.0 X 6.0-10.0 ~m.
,; 12.0-15.0 ~m. Wehmeyer (1961) divided Pleospora into
, Hansford (1961) reported M. strychni-multiflorae subgenera and species based mainly on spore
~~ Hansf. on Strychnos multiflora L. from Phillipines. characters and developed keys for the classification
':
k"
~~

[Vol. 57(3) : 2004] Indian Phytopathology 295
of the species. He reported thirteen new species. Hosagoudar, V .B. and R.D. Goos (1990). Meliolaceous
The present collection was found to be similar to P. fungi from the state of Kerala, India-II. Meliola.
vagans Niessl. in size of the spore and lateral Mycotaxon., 37: 217-272.
septation whereas in case of P. vagans generally Hosagoudar, V.B. and Goos, R.D. (1991). Meliolaceae
5 septa are present. However, it differs in having of South India-X. Mycotaxon., 42: 125-147.
one vertical septa and constriction at 3rd septa of .. . ,
the spore. The varieties of P. vagans are classified Song, Bin and ~al Hul LI (~002). New species of the
th b . f d f t Th . I. genus Astenna from China. Mycotaxon., 84: 407on
e asls 0 mo e 0 sep um. IS pecu jar 412
mode of septum was not observed in any other .
known varieties of P. vagans. Based on these Srinivasalu, B.V. (1974). Genus Me/io/a from
differences a new epithet "aconitil' has been Maharashtra. Nova Hedwigia Beih., 47: 421-437.
proposed: Thus warranting creation of a new variety Theissen, F. (1913). Die Guttung Asterina. Abhand/.
on Aconitum sp. K.K. Zoo/. Bot. Gesse/ch. Wien., 7: 1-130.
Material examined: On leaves of Acotinium Thite, A.N. and U.K. Kulkarni (1978). Studies on Indian
sp. (Ranunculanceae ), Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, Melioiaceae-il. Maharashtra J. Shivaji Univ., 18:
Dec. 2001, Coil., S.J. Gawande, HCIO 44922 209-217.
(typus). Wehmeyer, L.E. (1961). A world monograph of the
genus P/eospora and its segregates. Univ.
REFERENCES Michigan Press, U.S.A., pp. 451.
Hansford, S d C.G. . (1961). The Me/io/ineae. A Monograph. R . bl. t. J 12 2003
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