Leaf-scorch disease of sugarcane in Kenya caused by a new species of Leptosphaeria [bicolor, Fungi]

A new foliar disease of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) was observed in Western Province, Kenya. The disease is characterized by spindle-shaped lesions on leaves which eventually enlarge and coalesce to give the foliage a scorched appearance. The Kenya-leaf-scorch disease is caused by a new specie...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Mycologia Vol. 71; no. 3; pp. 479 - 492
Main Authors:	Kaiser, W.J, Ndimande, B.N, Hawksworth, D.L
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Taylor & Francis 01-05-1979 New York Botanical Garden
Subjects:	Ascospores Conidia Fungal diseases Fungal infections Fungi Leaves Lesions Plant diseases Pycnidia Sugar cane
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	A new foliar disease of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) was observed in Western Province, Kenya. The disease is characterized by spindle-shaped lesions on leaves which eventually enlarge and coalesce to give the foliage a scorched appearance. The Kenya-leaf-scorch disease is caused by a new species of Pleosporales, Leptosphaeria bicolor which has a Stagonospora imperfect state. Ascomata of L. bicolor were observed occasionally in leaf-scorch lesions on naturally infected sugarcane leaves in association with the Stagonospora pycnidia. Both states of the pathogen developed in pure cultures initiated from single ascospores. The perfect state of L. bicolor did not develop on various nutrient media, but formed within 10-15 da on a natural water-agar medium containing autoclaved sugarcane-leaf pieces. Isolates of L. bicolor varied in growth rate, sporulation and colony appearance. Mycelial growth and pycnidial formation were greatest on oatmeal agar. On potato-dextrose agar the optimum temperature for mycelial growth in the dark was 27 C. In controlled inoculation studies, L. bicolor was pathogenic to several sugarcane varieties, but was not pathogenic or only weakly so to napier grass, maize, rice and sorghum.
Bibliography:	7921785 F70 H20
ISSN:	0027-5514 1557-2536
DOI:	10.1080/00275514.1979.12021031