Optimizing conditions for growth and sporulation of Alternaria macrospora MKP1: a biocontrol agent of Parthenium weed

Year 2019, Volume: 22 Issue: 1, 17 - 23, 04.07.2019

Manpreet Kaur Vijay Kumar

Abstract

During
a series of surveys for natural enemies of  Parthenium hysterophorus, a leaf blight pathogen was
isolated from the affected parts of the parthenium following the standard
isolation techniques using potato dextrose agar (PDA) media. Koch’s postulates
were performed and found satisfactory for the isolate and proved to be
pathogenic to this weed. On the basis of cultural, morphological and molecular
characteristics, the pathogen was identified as Alternaria macrospora MKP1. The growth of the fungal pathogen is
known to influence by environmental factors such as temperature, relative
humidity and pH. Therefore, the main objective of the study was optimization of
cultural conditions for the growth and sporulation of A. macrospora MKP1. The results of the present investigation
indicated that physical factors greatly affected the growth and sporulation of
the pathogen.

Keywords

Alternaria macrospora MKP1, Biocontrol, Parthenium hysterophorus, Relative humidity

Optimizing conditions for growth and sporulation of Alternaria macrospora MKP1: a biocontrol agent of Parthenium weed

Abstract

During
a series of surveys for natural enemies of  Parthenium hysterophorus, a leaf blight pathogen was
isolated from the affected parts of the parthenium following the standard
isolation techniques using potato dextrose agar (PDA) media. Koch’s postulates
were performed and found satisfactory for the isolate and proved to be
pathogenic to this weed. On the basis of cultural, morphological and molecular
characteristics, the pathogen was identified as Alternaria macrospora MKP1. The growth of the fungal pathogen is
known to influence by environmental factors such as temperature, relative
humidity and pH. Therefore, the main objective of the study was optimization of
cultural conditions for the growth and sporulation of A. macrospora MKP1. The results of the present investigation
indicated that physical factors greatly affected the growth and sporulation of
the pathogen.

References

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