Cultural and morphological characterisations of fusicoccum sp. the causal agent of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) leaf blight in Malaysia

Wong M. Y., . and Nyaka Ngobisa A. I. C., . and Murnita M. M., . and Zainal Abidin M. A., . Cultural and morphological characterisations of fusicoccum sp. the causal agent of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) leaf blight in Malaysia. pp. 64-79. ISSN 1511-1768

Leaf blight caused by Fusicoccum sp. is becoming a serious canopy disease of rubber trees in Malaysia. Despite its increasing significance information regarding the biology of the causal fungus is scarce. This study provides morphological data useful for its characterisation. Fungal isolates obtained from leaf samples collected from several rubber plantations in Selangor Johor and Perak were compared in terms of their behaviour in various cultural media potato dextrose agar (PDA) Czapex-dox agar (CDA) corn meal agar (CMA) and malt extract agar (MEA). Furthermore their incidence on rubber leaves was assessed. In all media and different pH tested significant differences were observed in spore production dimension of conidiomata and growth rates among isolates. On PDA pH 6 supported the best growth compared to other media used. The growth rate was 16.8 mm/day on PDA and MEA against 14.4 mm / day on CDA and 11.4 mm/day on CMA. The highest spore production (161.33 106 spores / mL) was obtained on PDA. The optimum temperature for spore germination in water agar was 24C - 28C within a period of eight hours. All fungal isolates tested were pathogenic to H. brasiliensis but showed variation in symptoms.

Full text available from: Official URL: http://vitaldoc.lgm.gov.my:8060/vital/access/servi...

Abstract

Leaf blight caused by Fusicoccum sp. is becoming a serious canopy disease of rubber trees in Malaysia. Despite its increasing significance information regarding the biology of the causal fungus is scarce. This study provides morphological data useful for its characterisation. Fungal isolates obtained from leaf samples collected from several rubber plantations in Selangor Johor and Perak were compared in terms of their behaviour in various cultural media potato dextrose agar (PDA) Czapex-dox agar (CDA) corn meal agar (CMA) and malt extract agar (MEA). Furthermore their incidence on rubber leaves was assessed. In all media and different pH tested significant differences were observed in spore production dimension of conidiomata and growth rates among isolates. On PDA pH 6 supported the best growth compared to other media used. The growth rate was 16.8 mm/day on PDA and MEA against 14.4 mm / day on CDA and 11.4 mm/day on CMA. The highest spore production (161.33 106 spores / mL) was obtained on PDA. The optimum temperature for spore germination in water agar was 24C - 28C within a period of eight hours. All fungal isolates tested were pathogenic to H. brasiliensis but showed variation in symptoms.

[error in script]

Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Hevea brasiliensis
AGROVOC Term:	Fusicoccum
AGROVOC Term:	Spores
AGROVOC Term:	Disease incidence
AGROVOC Term:	Infection
AGROVOC Term:	Sporulation
AGROVOC Term:	Pathogenicity
Geographical Term:	Malaysia
Depositing User:	Ms. Suzila Mohamad Kasim
Last Modified:	28 Apr 2025 02:30
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/22915

Actions (login required)

View Item