New record of Phoma leaf spot disease of ruffled fan palm (Licuala grandis) from West Bengal, India

Abstract

Licuala grandis, commonly known as ruffled fan palm, is an important ornamental plant. Recently disease symptoms that resemble those of leaf spot were observed during September to November, 2017, in 2 -3 years old plants, planted in and around Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya campus of West Bengal, India. Based on the morphological and cultural characters, the disease causing organism was identified as Phoma spp. Conidia, produced on host, were single-celled, hyaline, ovoid-ellipsoidal, sometimes slightly curved, 4.1 – 7.0µ (av. 5.5µ) x 1.1 – 2.0µ (av. 1.7µ) in size, but with age becoming minutely roughened.