Isolation, Identification and Pathogenicity Assay of Fungal Species on Horse Purslane (Trianthema portulacastrum L.,)

A field survey was carried out in Tamil Nadu agricultural university, Coimbatore, to locate Horse purslane (Trianthema portulacastrum) infected with fungal pathogens. Heavily infested areas were recognized and symptomatic leaves were collected. Fungal species account for leaf spot disease of Horse purslane were Isolated from infected leaves on PDA medium. Based on morphological characteristics two foliar pathogens of Horse purslane were identified as Gibbago trianthemae Simmons and Curvularia tuberculata Sivan. Pathogenicity of two isolates was tested by applying spore treatment to Horse purslane (test plants). Leaves of test plants showed naturally occurring symptoms after inoculation with pathogens. Among the two isolates, Gibbago trianthemae was shown to be more effective against Horse purslane than Curvularia tuberculata.