Abstract
FRUIT ROT OF SPONGE GOURD (LUFFA CYLINDRICA) BY MU CON. PIRIFORPirlE INTATMAN
Sultan Mahmood Khan, Aisha Khatoon and Muhammad Aslam Khan
Fruit rot of sponge gourd was found at Faisalabad during July-August, 1986. The diseased fruit was brought to the Mycology laboratory and symptoms of the disease were observed_ The organism associated with fruit rut was isolated, identified and its pathogenic nature was studied. The results are presented below!
SYMPTOMS: Diseased fruits appeared water soaked, which were covered later on by white cottony growth of the fungus. Fruit rotteriing appeared from one end in the beginning, which gradually affected the whole fruit. The fruits became shrivelled showing dry rot appearance.
ISOLATION AID IDENTIFICATION •■• •■■-.■ The fungus associated with diseased fruit was isolated on malt-extract agar. Growth of the fungus on agar medium was very rapid and it sperulated within 5-6 days after incubation. The pure culture of the fungus was identified (Zycha et al., 1969) as Nucor piriforme. Following morphological characters were recorded. Colonies pale, olive grey with aroma, 30-45 mm high Sporangiophores exhibiting two kinds of length, tall and short and 30-40 i in diameter. Columellate, columellae variable in shape. Larger one °hyoid and smaller pyrifrom Dr subglobose, 200 x 140 pm in size. Sporangiospores ellipsoid, hyaline, wall smooth, 6-10 x 4-7 um in size.
PATHOGENICITY OF THE FUNGUS: Sponge gourd fruit in three different stages of ripening were tested for the pathogenic nature of the fungus.
