Studies On Taxonomy And Phytopathology Of Pseudocercospora Species Invading Medicinal Plants Of Family - Solanaceae In North-Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

The North-Eastern region of Uttar Pradesh, India, boasts a diverse array of biological species, including micro- and macro-fungi. Pseudocercospora Speg. is a plant pathogenic fungus responsible for various diseases in different plants of economic importance. In the current study, while conducting a survey of villages, agricultural fields and woodlands of Gorakhpur district, two plant-pathogenic species of Pseudocercospora have been collected and documented, named - Pseudocercospora solanicola and Pseudocercospora withaniae, causing infection to two plants of medicinal importance of Family – Solanaceae - Solanum nigrum and Withania somnifera. Morpho-taxonomic descriptions of these two Pseudocercospora species have been done, including Camera Lucida drawings and photomicrography. Phyto-pathological studies have also been conducted, with reference to decrease in photosynthesizing regions of leaves. It is determined that these Pseudocercospora species influence the efficacy along with therapeutic qualities of these medicinally important plants.