Irum Mukhtar

New report of Alternaria alternata causing leaf spot of Aloe vera in Pakistan

Abstract A leaf spot disease was observed on Aloe vera plants as small, circular to oval dark brown necrotic sunken spots on the leaves. Infected tissues collected from different sites in diseased fields were cultured on malt extract agar medium, and the pathogen was identified as Alternaria alternata on the basis of morphological and cultural characteristics. The fungus produced effuse, olivaceous black colonies with dark olive-green margins, and abundant branched septate, golden brown mycelium. The conidiophores were branched, straight, golden-brown, smooth-walled, measuring up to 60 μm long by 3 μm wide with one conidial scar. The conidia were obpyriform, golden-brown, smooth-walled, produced in long branched chains, with a short pale beak. Pathogenicity tests conducted on healthy potted aloe plants in a glasshouse showed typical leaf spot symptoms after four to seven days. This is the first report of a leaf spot disease of A. vera in Pakistan.

Constrains on mangrove forests and conservation projects in Pakistan

Mangroves forests are facing serious stresses which jeopardize their sustainability and their existence in Pakistan. Theses coastal forests are found in the Indus delta in Sindh and the coastal areas of Sonmiani, Kalmat and Gawatar bay in Balochistan. A significant reduction in the fresh water supply and increased marine water pollution in from industries as well as over harvesting of mangroves and fishes by the local peoples, sedimentation, population stress and coastal erosion are usually considered to be the immediate causes of mangrove loss in Pakistan. Various Projects have been under taken in the past and in current scenario to conserve the resources of mangrove areas. Strong planning with the collaboration of the local institutes at the grass-root levels will be helpful to strengthen their capacity and to achieve the targets easily, and they will also help in achieving the conservation goals in a sustainable manner. It is predictable that large-scale plantation of this mangroves species in these areas would increase the resources in coastal areas, resulting economic benefit to the local people.

Biological control of Aspergillus niger, the cause of black-rot disease of Allium cepa L. (onion), by Penicillium species.

Abstract The purpose of the study was to explore the control of the onion black rot pathogen, Aspergillus niger, with Penicillium species as biological control agents. Fourteen Penicillium species were isolated from the rhizosphere of different plants. In dual culture agar plate assays, these isolates showed very high antagonistic effects on the growth of A. niger mycelium. Penicillium roqueforti and P. viridicatum greatly inhibited the growth of A. niger by 66% and 60%, respectively, followed by P. bilaii (57%) and P. olsonii (53%). However, it was also observed that the Penicillium species completely overgrew the A. niger colony. The study revealed that some species of the genus Penicillium possessed a high antagonistic effect on the onion black rot pathogen.

Effects of Penicillium extracts on germination vigour in subsequent seedling growth of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Penicillium spp. are well known to produce a variety of beneficial metabolites for plant growth and survival, as well as they defend their hosts from attack of certain pathogens. In this study, effects of culture filtrate of different Penicillium spp. were tested on tomato seeds. On the whole, presoaking of seeds in the filtrates of the nine Penicillium isolates tested significantly increased seed germination when compared with the control seeds. Cultural extracts of P. expansum and P. bilaii were highly effective in growth promotion up to 90%. It was also observed that P. implicatum and P. oxalicum significantly enhanced the root growth in tomato seedling as compared to other species. In case of shoot length, P. verrucosum (3.38 cm), P. granulatum (2.81 cm) and P. implicatum (2.62 cm) were effective. P. implicatum was quite promising in increasing shoot and root length in tomato seedlings, while P. simplicissimum and P. citrinum were less effective on seedling growth. The plant growth-promoting ability of Penicillium strains may help in growth promotion in other plants and crops. Penicillium spp. are already known for producing various mycotoxins and enzymes. Plant growth-promoting ability of Penicillium spp. will open new aspects of research and investigations. The role of Penicillium spp. in tomato plant growth requires further exploration.

Antifungal effect of Penicillium metabolites against some fungi

Microorganisms are increasingly exploited as a source of new biological control agents. Genus Penicillium is a source of novel bioactive molecules which can be used as antifungal agents. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antifungal potential of Penicillium strains. Culture filtrates of two Penicillium species were tested for their antifungal potential by well diffusion assays. Filtrate of Penicillium isolates showed high antifungal effects on mycelial growth of Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, Macrophomina phaseolina, Aspergillus japonicus var aculeatus and Cladosporium cladosporioides. But Penicillium italicum inhibit the fungal growth from 45 to 68% as compared to Penicillium simplissimum (25–68%). However in case of A. japonicus var aculeatus, Penicillium spp. extracts were equally effective and reduce the colony growth up to 68%. However, P. simplissimum extract was least effective in case of M. phaseolina, where it decreased the colony growth only 25%.

Major constraints on shisham (Dalbergia sissoo) plantations and pathological debate on dieback disease in Punjab, Pakistan

Today, shisham plantations in Punjab, Pakistan face major constraints, especially dieback disease. This article reviews the multidisciplinary team work by forest and plant pathologists and economists to resolve the confusions in the pathology of dieback disease. It is intended to be of practical use to the foresters and plant pathologists reporting on this issue.

Effect of Penicillium Extractsa on Germination Vigor in Subsequent Seedling Growth of Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.)

Abstract Penicillium spp. are well known to produce a variety of beneficial metabolites for plant growth and survival, as well as defend their hosts from attack of certain pathogens. In this study, effects of culture filtrate of different Penicillium spp. were tested on tomato seeds. On the whole, presoaking of seeds in filtrates of the nine Penicillium isolates tested, significantly increased seed germination when compared with the control seeds. Cultural extracts of P. expensum and P. billi were highly effective in growth promotion up to 90%. It was also observed that P. implicatum and P. oxlalicam significantly enhanced the root growth in tomato seedling as compare to other species. In case of shoot length, P. verrucosum (3.38), P. granulatum (2.81) and P. implicatum (2.62) were effective. However P. implicatum was quite promising to increase shoot and root length in tomato seedlings. Where as P. simplicissimium and P. citrinum were leas effective on seedling growth. The plant growth promoting ability of Penicillium strains may help in growth permotion in other plants and crops. Penicillium spp. are already known for producing mycotoxin and enzymes. Plant growth promoting ability of Penicillium spp will open new aspects of research and investigations. The role of Penicil-lium spp. in tomato plant growth requires further exploration.