First Report of Colletotrichum dematium on Pongamia pinnata in India

Abstract

Karanj or Indian beech (Pongamia pinnata) is a multipurpose tree grown in many parts of Karnataka. In several nurseries, a high proportion of seedlings of this tree exhibited chlorotic spots on the leaves. Acervuli of Colletotrichum dematium (Pers.) Grove were found on the adaxial surfaces at the region of chlorosis. The fungus was isolated and used to complete Koch's postulates. This is the first confirmed report of anthracnose caused by C. dematium on P. pinnata in India. Accepted for publication 12 June 2008. Published 2 September 2008.