Cultural and morphological characteristics of Lasiodiplodia theobromae of Dianella in various carbon and nitrogen containing media

Abstract

Dianella, that contains about 41 species including the blue or Tasmanian flax lily (Dianella tasmanica) and the variegated flax lily (Dianella tasmanica variegata), are grown for their attractive foliage and shiny, blue to purple berries. Taking into consideration the different points i.e. bio-aesthetic planning, indoor decoration, social and religious functions the demand for ornamental plants is increasing gradually. But they are attacked by different diseases. The various cultural and morphological characteristics of fungi Lasiodiplodia theobromae from Dianella were studied which were grown on different carbon and nitrogen containing media. Among the carbon containing media, the most effective medium for rapid growth was peptone salt agar medium followed and oat meal agar and Czepek’s Dox agar media. In case of nitrogen sources, the radial growth was higher in case of medium containing aspartic acid and a combination of sodium nitrate and ammonium sulphate. The bioassay of three non-systemic viz. Blitox, Mancozeb and Chlorothalonil and one systemic fungicide Difenoconazole using six different concentrations along with control were examined. It was found that the fungus was completely inhibited in all the three fungicides except Difenoconazole.