Origin of Alternaria kashmeriana Causing Canker Stains on Native Platanus orientalis kashmeriana - A First Report from the Asia

Abstract

In mid-summer 2015, during the mycological explorations to the northern India (Kashmir), canker stain symptoms in alarming proportions were observed on beneath of the leaf surfaces in 21 differentially located Platanus orientalis kashmeriana populations similar to what has been reported earlier in United States and Europe. Genetic interpretations of these isolates, using ITS region of rDNA as unique DNA barcoding site for molecular identification showed the evolution of new fungal species, Alternaria kashmeriana sp.nov. From closely related species under geographically distinct conditions encountering 0.5 amount of genetic change in ITS region of rDNA. It is hard to differentiate the Alternaria Kashmeriana sp.nov and from the rest known Alternaria species on the phenotypic bases but reflects the marked contradictions when compared on genetic grounds. The pathogen is having a dramatic lethal effect on the natural populations of Platanus orientalis kashmeriana in Northern India and solid containment measures should be imposed to restrict its spread throughout the natural range of this ecologically, economically and historically precious host.