PJB-2020-376
New report of okra leaf necrosis by Exserohilum rostratum from Pakistan
Ghulam Roquyya
Abstract
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench), is amongst the most familiar and widely consumed summer vegetable in Pakistan. During a field survey, a fungal infection of okra leaves, that was new to farmers, was observed. Isolation of pathogen was carried out from the infected leaves. Pure culture of isolated fungus was initially identified as Exserohilum rostratum based on the morphological characteristics. Identification was confirmed by nucleotide sequence analysis of Internal Transcribed Region (ITS) of rDNA and partial Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene. Confirmation of Koch’ pathogenicity postulates were carried out by inoculating healthy plants with the spores of isolated fungal pathogen. Development of symptoms and re-isolation of E. rostratum from the artificially infected plants validated the first report of okra leaf necrosis by E rostratum from Pakistan. Exserohilum rostratum is an emerging fungal pathogen round the world; therefore there is a need of developing strategies to control its prevalence to other economically important crops.
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