Infection of Asystasia spp. by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Sacc.

Abstract

Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is reported for the first time as a pathogen of Asystasia nemorum and A. gangetica. Infection experiments showed that the fungus caused disease in both host plants within a week of inoculation. Symptoms were chlorosis, necrosis, premature defoliation and stunted growth. Wounded and non-wounded host plants showed no difference in their susceptibility to the fungus. C. gloeosporioides also formed its teleomorphic state, Glomerella cingulata, on the diseased host plants. © 1992 Kluwer Academic Publishers.