FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK

 

Mycological Society of India, since its inception, through yearly activities and the Society Journal, has been involved in serving and propagating the cause of Mycology in India. Unfortunately this year's Society meeting and the International Conference which was scheduled for 2nd week of October, 2020 at Botany Department, Punjabi University, Patiala has to be postponed to the third week of February, 2021 due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic. Under the circumstances, thinking of organizing online webinars via internet in real time by the MSI Mumbai Unit is a welcome step converting adverse situation we all are facing into opportunity for serving the cause of mycology through the innovative intervention of technology. All the online lectures delivered on different aspects of Mycology by eminent Mycologists were highly successful and well attended. Every time more than 300 participants connected over Zoom platform from throughout India and the discussion generated thereafter speaks volumes about the success of the events. This is a step worth emulating for the other Institutions to follow in such difficult times. Hearty congratulations to Dr. S.K. Deshmukh, President, MSI Mumbai Unit, for the splendid job done through this unique initiative. The current COVID 19 pandemic situation is in need of serious intervention by the Mycologists worldwide. Looking at the contribution of Fungi in human health the exploration and evaluation of different groups of Fungi for their antimicrobial activity may play a significant role in the current pandemic. In my opinion mycologists have opportunity to work for meeting the challenge of putative invasive pulmonary aspergillosis posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in the critically suffering patients. Since there are only limited number of antifungal drugs available for treating such cases and that too with lot of limitations. We as mycologists needs to collaborate with some clinicians at least to identify such strains of pathogenic fungi and provide the desired inputs in this regard to the Biotech/Pharma companies for the innovation of safe and effective noval antifungals capable of tackling such serious invasive infections. This is a huge challenge before us towards which especially the medical mycologists can contribute their bit.

At the same time I wish to inform all the members about the revised Instructions to the Authors for submission of articles to KAVAKA, which have been slightly modified to address the requirements of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). These are available both on the MSI and the Journal website.

My thanks are due to all the authors of the articles included in this issue of the Journal. Thanks are also due to all the reviewers for their help in critical appraisal of the manuscripts which has helped in the improvement of the quality of the articles and the timely release of the Journal.

 

 

June 30, 2020

N.S. ATRI

Editor-in-Chief KAVAKA

Department of Botany

Punjabi University, Patiala

Pin- 147 002, Punjab, INDIA

 

 

 

Front Pages    Contents  

 

 

https://doi.org/10.36460/Kavaka/54/2020/1-9

KAVAKA 54: 1-9 (2020)

 

Exploration, Sociobiology and Conservation of Mushrooms - My experience*

N.S. Atri

Department of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala- 147 002, Punjab, India

Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

 

I express a deep sense of gratitude from the core of my heart to the honorable members of Mycological Society of India for electing me as President of the Society for the year 2019 and also bestowing upon me the responsibility of Editor-in-Chief of KAVAKA being Transactions of Mycological Society of India. Before my election as President, the Society has honored me by giving me various positions of responsibility as member of Editorial Board of KAVAKA, Council Member and also as Vice President of the Society. To my esteemed teacher and mentor Late Dr. Satnam Singh Saini, former Professor and Head Department of Botany and Dean Life Sciences, Punjabi University, Patiala, I owe a great debt of gratitude. It was he who introduced me to the field of mycology in general and mushrooms in particular when I was a M.Sc. student in the Department from 1976-1978. He was instrumental in inducting me as Lecturer in Botany in the Department in 1987. Ever since I have been working along with my collaborators and students on various aspects including systematics, sociobiology, domestication, conservation, distribution, ecology, mycorrhiza and nutritional and nutraceutical evaluation of mushrooms of North West Himalayas and Punjab Plains.

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://doi.org/10.36460/Kavaka/54/2020/10-23

KAVAKA 54: 10-23 (2020)

 

Dimensions, diversity and ecology of aquatic mycobiome*

K.R. Sridhar

Department of Biosciences, Mangalore University, Mangalagangotri, Mangalore, India

Centre for Environmental Studies, Yenepoya University, Mangalore, India

Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on March 12, 2020 ; Accepted on May 24, 2020)

 

 

ABSTRACT

Fungi being structurally, functionally and phylogenetically diverse, occupied a wide range of biomes worldwide. It is realized that evaluation of diversity, structure and function of fungal consortium (mycobiome) in an ecosystem will provide wider perspective. Assessment of core-group (major/keystone), less frequent (rare) and cryptic (hidden) fungi and their interaction in a biome will portray ecosystem functions more precisely. Aquatic mycota are overlooked in spite of their potential role in recycling organic matter, biogeochemical cycles, linking food webs and production of precious metabolites. Improved methodology and precision to understand the morphology, physiology, biochemistry, ecology and mutualism has driven the attention of mycologists and ecologists towards aquatic mycobiome recently. Aquatic mycota serve in the ecosystem as communities, hence their dynamics, spatiotemporal dimensions, mutual interactions and energetics will be of prime significance in ecosystem services. This contribution mainly emphasizes highlighting the dimensions, diversity, ecology and functions of filamentous fungi in different aquatic ecosystems.

 

Keywords: Aquatic fungi, decomposition, ecological functions, human interference, Indian subcontinent

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://doi.org/10.36460/Kavaka/54/2020/24-29

KAVAKA 54: 24-29 (2020)

 

Studies on the nutritional requirement and in vitro synthesis of mycorrhiza of Cedrus deodara with Rhizopogon himalayensis

 

Lal Singh¹, Ashwani Tapwal², J.S. Thakur³ and T.N. Lakhanpal^4*

¹Himalayan Research Group, Chotta Shimla 171002, Himachal Pradesh

²Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Shimla 171013, Himachal Pradesh

³Govt. College Banjar, Kullu 175123, Himachal Pradesh

⁴Department of Biosciences, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla 171005, Himachal Pradesh

^*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on March 13, 2020; Accepted on May 31, 2020)

 

 

ABSTRACT

Investigations on in vitro cultures of Rhizopogon himalayensis Mujic et al. (syn.: Trappeindia himalayansis), a mycobiont of Cedrus deodara discovered first in the N.W. Himalayas, were carried out on twelve solid and four liquid media to determine its requirement of carbon, nitrogen, trace elements, vitamins and growth regulators. Out of these Pridham Yeast Malt Dextrose Agar and Glucose Asparagine solution, respectively were evaluated as the best solid and liquid mediums for the growth of this mycobiont. For investigations, the basal media was amended with different concentrations of selected nutrient sources. The dry weight of mycelium was recorded and compared with control. The results revealed that out of sixteen carbon sources evaluated maximum growth of mycelium was observed in basal medium having sucrose as the carbon source. Among the twenty four organic, inorganic and complex nitrogen sources, arginine supported the maximum mycelial growth as compared to others. The amendment of the basal media with different trace elements had no significant effect on the mycelial growth of the mycobiont. Among vitamins and growth hormones, ascorbic acid and gibberellic acid, respectively registered enhanced growth of R. himalayensis. In vitro ectomycorrhizal synthesis between R. himalayansis and C. deodara was achieved and the synthesized mycorrhiza resembled the natural one in almost all aspects.

 

Keywords: Rhizopogon himalayensis, Trappeindia himalayensis, Cedrus deodara, hypogeous, mycobiont, nutritional requirement, N.W. Himalaya.

 

 

 

 

 

https://doi.org/10.36460/Kavaka/54/2020/30-37

 

 

 

KAVAKA 54: 30-37 (2020)

 

New records of lamellate mushrooms associated with Sal from Shiwaliks, India

 

Jitender Kumar and N. S. Atri*

Lal Bahadur Shastri Govt. P.G. College, Saraswati Nagar, Shimla-171206, India.

*Department of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala-147002, India.

Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on January 15, 2020 ; Accepted on May 5, 2020)

 

 

ABSTRACT

This paper deals with four new records of fungal taxa from India. These were collected from Shiwalik range of North West, India, in association with Shorea robusta. These include Amanita battarrae (Boud.) Bon, Asproinocybe lactifera Heim., Russula chlorinosma Burl. and R. nobilis Velen. Morphological and microscopic characters are described and illustrated.

 

Key words: Ectomycorrhiza, diversity, Sal forest, taxonomy.

 

 

 

 

https://doi.org/10.36460/Kavaka/54/2020/38-42

 

KAVAKA 54: 38-42 (2020)

 

New species and new records of Astrosphaeriellaceae from Andaman Islands, India

M. Niranjan and V.V. Sarma*

Department of Biotechnology, Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Pondicherry–605014, India.

*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on January 19, 2020; Accepted on April 16, 2020)

 

ABSTRACT

Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India are relatively underexplored for fungal diversity. From the studies conducted from Andaman region, a few new species and new records have been documented. Astrosphaeriellaceae is characterized by superficial ascomata, or beneath the host periderm, thick carbonaceous walls with central ostioles, brown fusiform ascospores, and hyphomycetous or ceolomycetous anarmophs. In the present paper, we introduce two new species, viz. Astrosphaeriella uniseptata and Pithomyces hyalosporae and report two new records i.e Astrosphaeriella stellata and Astrosphaeriella tornata.

 

Key words: Astrosphaeriellaceae, Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes, new records, new species.

 

 

 

 

https://doi.org/10.36460/Kavaka/54/2020/43-46

 

KAVAKA 54: 43-46 (2020)

 

First Aeromycological Profile of the Mandangad tahsil, Maharashtra, India

V. D. Chavan

Loknete Gopinathji Munde Arts, Commerece and Science College Madangad, District -Ratnagiri

Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on January 25, 2020; Accepted on May 15, 2020)

 

 

ABSTRACT

Aim of this survey is to present the first aeromycological report of Mandangad tahsil, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, India. In all 22 species of 16 genera from the 14 different localities of Mandangad tahsil were isolated successfully. From amongst the isolated fungi the species of Aspergillus, Rhizopus and Mucor were found to be the most dominating microbial components of the aeromycoflora whereas Alternaria solani, Emmonsia pasteuriana, Curvularia lunata, Candida albicans, Humicola grisea, Penicillium spp., Rhizoctonia solani and Satchybotrys chartarum were least abundant in comparison. Some of these including Sclerotium rolfsii, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, Fusarium dimerum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Cladosporium herbarum and Cladosporium chartarum showed general abundance. Hence first aeromycological profile of Mandangad tahsil apprise us about the fungal aeromycoflora affecting local medicinal and timber plants, human population, fruits, food products, clothes, furniture, leather products and dairy products, etc.

 

Keywords: Fungal diversity, airborne, Aspergillus, Alternaria, Mucor spp., aeromycology

 

 

 

https://doi.org/10.36460/Kavaka/54/2020/47-49

 

KAVAKA 54: 47-49 (2020)

 

First report of false smut caused by Graphiola phoenicis on Indian wild date (Phoenix sylvestris) from India

 

S., Mahadevakumar¹, Y.S., Deepika^2,3, N., Lakshmidevi³ and K.N., Amruthesh^1*

¹Applied Phytopathology Laboratory, Department of Studies in Botany, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru–570 006, Karnataka, India;

²Department of Studies in Botany, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru–570 006, Karnataka, India;

³Department of Studies in Microbiology, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru–570 006, Karnataka, India;

*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on February 10, 2020; Accepted on April 29, 2020)

 

 

ABSTRACT

Phoenix sylvestris grown widely in southern parts of Karnataka showing characteristic false smut disease symptoms was noticed recently. The symptoms on foliar pinnae include small yellowish lesions on both sides of the leaf blade with brown to black globular or cylindrical and irregular sori. They were subepidermal in origin with hard and dark coloured outer wall shaving ostiole. Mature sori whitish to creamy, thread like and filaments emerging from the ostiole were observed. Micro-morphological studies revealed that, the associated fungus was Graphiola phoenicis, a member of basidiomycetous fungi. So far there is no report on the occurrence of false smut on wild date palm (P. sylvestris) in India.

 

Keywords: False smut, Phoenix sylvestris, Graphiola phoenicis, new host record.

 

 

https://doi.org/10.36460/Kavaka/54/2020/50-54

 

KAVAKA 54: 50-54 (2020)

 

Studies on morphological and molecular identification of Geastrum from Gujarat, India

Ravi S. Patel, Ajit M. Vasava and Kishore S. Rajput*

Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara 390002, India

*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on February 13, 2020; Accepted on May 10, 2020)

 

 

ABSTRACT

The Genus Geastrum Pers. (Geastraceae), is a cosmopolitan gastroid mushroom possessing enclosed hymenophore. Its species are commonly known as earthstars because of the splitting exoperidium giving the fungus a star like morphology. In the Western part of India, it is represented by three species, viz. Geastrum saccatum Fr., G. rufescens Pers. and G. triplex Jungh. These are being recorded for the first time from the Gujarat State. Specimens were collected from Vansda National Park and Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary during field survey undertaken from 2014-2019. Identification was carried out based on the morphological features and further confirmation was done by molecular phylogenetic analyses using nuclear rDNA ITS sequencing. Molecular data has been submitted to BOLD system for DNA barcoding.

 

Key words: Fungal diversity, Geastraceae, Geastrum, ITS, DNA barcoding.

 

 

 

https://doi.org/10.36460/Kavaka/54/2020/55-56

 

KAVAKA 54: 55-56 (2020)

 

Asteridiella micheliifolia var. macrospora var. nov. from Vagamon hills, Kerala, India

 

Hina Mohamed and Jacob Thomas*

Post graduate and Research Department of Botany, Mar Thoma College, Tiruvalla- 689103, Kerala, India.

*Corresponding author Email : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on February 15, 2020; Accepted on May 2, 2020)

 

 

ABSTRACT

During fungal exploration of Vagamon hills of Western Ghats in Kerala state, India, Michelia champaka L. (Magnoliaceae) was found infected with a black mildew fungus. Critical microscopic examination of the fungus revealed that it is a new variety of Asteridiella micheliifolia Hosag. et al., which has larger ascospores when compared to the type. The new variety A. micheliifolia var. macrospora is described in this paper.

 

Keywords : Black mildew, foliicolous fungi, Michelia, new variety, Western Ghats, Asteridiella

 

 

 

https://doi.org/10.36460/Kavaka/54/2020/57-63

 

KAVAKA 54: 57-63 (2020)

 

Role of defense enzymes in the induction of host resistance to leaf blight of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)

K. S. Shilpashree and M. S. Sharada*

Department of Studies in Botany, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore-570006, Karnataka, India

*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on February 15, 2020; Accepted on May 23, 2020)

 

 

ABSTRACT

The present study highlights the role of defense-related enzymes such as phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), peroxidase (POX) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in inducing resistance in turmeric against fungal leaf blight pathogen Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler designated as CL1 which was isolated from the infected leaf of Curcuma longa L. and subsequently identified on the basis of morphological and molecular sequencing studies. The results of our study indicated that defense enzymes activity was maximum at 24 h for PAL, 12 h for POX and 48 h for PPO, respectively upon pathogen inoculation in resistant cultivar. The enzyme activity increased significantly (P<0.05) in resistant genotype upon pathogen inoculation. Indeed, the increase in enzyme activities was not significant in case of susceptible genotypes. It is quite apparent from the study that in host-pathogen interaction, the initial infection process involved conidium germination followed by penetration through stomata in both the genotypes. However, it was considerably slow in Hassan-8 genotype due to its resistant nature. The DNA sequence of this pathogenic Alternaria alternata CL1 has been submitted to NCBI GenBank under the accession number MN307311.

 

Keywords: Turmeric, leaf blight, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase,

 

 

 

 

 

https://doi.org/10.36460/Kavaka/54/2020/64-73

 

KAVAKA 54: 64-73 (2020)

 

Genus Peniophora from Chamba District in Himachal Pradesh

Poonam¹, Avneet Pal Singh^2* and Gurpaul Singh Dhingra²

¹Government Post Graduate College, Chamba 176 314, Himachal Pradesh, India

² Department of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala 147 002, Punjab, India

^*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on March 12, 2020; Accepted on May 10, 2020)

 

 

ABSTRACT

The corticioid genus Peniophora Cooke (Agaricomycetes, Russulales, Peniophoraceae) is described from Chamba district (Himachal Pradesh) based on ten species. Peniophora lycii (Pers.) Höhn. & Litsch. and P. rufomarginata (Pers.) Bourdot & Galzin are described as new records for India and P. incarnata (Pers.) Cooke and P. violaceolivida (Sommerf.) Massee as new for Himachal Pradesh. In addition to these new records, P. limitata (Chaillet ex Fr.) Cooke and P. ovalispora Boidin, Lanq. & Gilles are recorded as new to Chamba district. A key to the species of Peniophora from Chamba district is also presented.

 

Keywords: Basidiomycota, Agaricomycetes, Western Himalaya, wood rotting fungi.

 

 

 

 

 

https://doi.org/10.36460/Kavaka/54/2020/74-79

 

KAVAKA 54: 74-79 (2020)

 

Testing efficacy of different SAR compounds against late blight pathogen on various germplasm lines of potato

 

Astha and P. S. Sekhon

Department of Plant Pathology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana– 141 004, Punjab, India

Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on March 17, 2020; Accepted on June 7, 2020)

 

 

ABSTRACT

Twenty potato cultivars/germplasm lines having variable degree of susceptibility to Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) De By. pathogen were screened during 2015, 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons for reaction to late blight. Attempts were made to induce systemic acquired resistance (SAR) against the pathogen through application of SAR elicitors Jasmonic acid (JA), Salicylic acid (SA) and Benzothiadiazole (BTH) @ 500µM and Beta Amino butyric acid (BABA) @ 50 mM. The SAR elicitors were sprayed on three-week-old sprouts and their effect on defence related proteins and disease severity was studied. Leaf samples were collected up to 7 days post treatment and used for estimation of total proteins. Sporangial solution (4.0 x 104 sporangia per mL) was sprayed after one week of elicitors spray. Per cent disease severity was recorded at 14 days post inoculation. SA , JA, BTH and BABA increased total soluble proteins in sprayed as well as newly emerged unsprayed leaves indicating systemic induction of defense. Mean maximum protein content i.e. 7.1 mg/g FW was highest in both SA treated; MS/6 1947 and Kufri Khayati followed by 6.9 mg/g FW in Garima and 6.8 mg/g FW in Kufri Jyoti. Maximum disease control of 82.09 % was observed in SA treated foliage of MS/6 -39 followed by MS/6 1947 with disease control of 81.28 %. SA treatment gave per cent disease control of 75.43, 77.07, and 77.29 in Kufri Badshah, Kufri Jyoti and Kufri Pukhraj, respectively. Minimum per cent disease control of 50.15 was observed in BTH treated variety Garima after 14 days of inoculation. Foliar application of SA was most effective followed by JA, BABA and BTH. The response to elicitors was higher in moderately resistant variety but susceptible variety also showed decrease in disease severity after elicitor spray. Integration of disease tolerance and elicitor spray thus proved effective against P. infestans in potato.

 

Keywords: Phytophthora infestans, foliar spray, salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), benzothiadiazole (BTH), and Beta amino butyric acid (BABA), PR- proteins, disease severity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://doi.org/10.36460/Kavaka/54/2020/80-82

KAVAKA 54: 80-82 (2020)

 

Zygosporium chinensis- A new foliicolous species infecting Litchi chinensis in Chhattisgarh, India

Anshu Deep Khalkho*, Smriti Bhardwaj, Anurag Dubey, Shikha Jain and Akhila Nand Rai

Department of Botany, Dr. Hari Singh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar, M.P, India 470003

*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on March 20, 2020 ; Accepted on May 29, 2020)

 

 

ABSTRACT

During the survey of protected forest areas of Ambikapur in north Chhattisgarh in India for foliicolous fungi during the month of January 2018, an interesting fungal form was found infecting both attached living and dried leaves of Litchi chinensis Sonn. Based on phenotypic, microscopic, SEM based investigations and comparison with other allied taxa a new species of Zygosporium Mont. namely Zygosporium chinensis has been described. The new species shows difference in setiform conidiophore septation.

 

Keywords: Foliicolous, hyphomycetous, Litchi chinensis, SEM, Zygosporium

 

 

 

 

https://doi.org/10.36460/Kavaka/54/2020/83-88

 

KAVAKA 54: 83-88 (2020)

 

Influence of temperature, humidity, and light on the growth and sporulation of Aschersonia aleyrodis

D. N. Bhosale¹, Y. V. Ingle^2*, D. H. Paithankar³ and N. S. Satpute⁴

¹Department of Plant Pathology, Dr. PDKV, Akola-444104 Maharashtra

^2&3AICRP on Fruits, Dr. PDKV, Akola 444104 Maharashtra, India

⁴Department of Entomology, Dr. PDKV, Akola 444104 Maharashtra, India

* Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on March 20, 2020; Accepted on June 8, 2020)

 

 

ABSTRACT

The effects of temperature, relative humidity (RH) and light on the growth and sporulation of Aschersonia aleyrodis Webber isolated from the fungus infected nymphs of citrus black fly, Aleurocanthus woglumi, were studied in the laboratory. Maximum colony diameter and spore count was achieved at 25°C followed by 30°C. The relative humidity when kept at 100% and 85% gave significantly higher colony growth and spore count. On an average, continuous light condition was preferred which recorded best average growth and sporulation followed by alternate cycle of 12 hr light and 12 hr dark. Quantitative assessments of growth and conidial production over 10 to 15 days under constant conditions showed that growth and sporulation was optimized at temperatures between 20°C and 30°C, RH > 80 % and continuous light exposure.

 

Keywords: Aschersonia aleyrodis, temperature, humidity, light and sporulation

 

 

 

 

 

https://doi.org/10.36460/Kavaka/54/2020/89-95

 

KAVAKA 54: 89-95 (2020)

 

Toxigenic mycoflora and natural co-occurrence of toxins in red chillies from Jammu and Kashmir

Shallu Samyal and Geeta Sumbali*

Department of Botany, Govt. College for Women Parade Ground, Jammu 180001, India

*Department of Botany, University of Jammu, Pin- 180006, India

Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on March 23, 2020; Accepted on May 30, 2020)

 

 

ABSTRACT

Quality deterioration of dried red chillies during storage poses a major threat as they are hygroscopic. Moreover, due to unscientific methods of collection, drying and post-harvest storage, red chillies are prone to fungal contamination and their toxins. In view of this, samples of dried red chillies were collected from different regions of Jammu and Kashmir and analysed for fungal species and associated toxins. Investigations revealed the presence of several fungal species, which are known producers of aflatoxins (Aspergillus flavus), cyclopiazonic acid (Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. tamarii, A. oryzae, A.versicolor, Penicillium griseofulvum and P.chrysogenum) and sterigmatocystin (Aspergillus nidulans, A.versicolor, A. sydowii, Chaetomium and Emericella spp.). Qualitative analysis by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and then quantification by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed that 36 % of the samples were positive for aflatoxin B1 (0.24 - 2.14 μg/g), 5 % samples were positive for aflatoxin B2 (2.08 - 2.14 μg/g), 31 % of samples were positive for cyclopiazonic acid (1.65 - 144.78 μg/g) and 23 % samples were positive for sterigmatocystin (5.10 - 24.03 μg/g). In addition, co-occurrence of mycotoxins like aflatoxin and cyclopiazonic acid; aflatoxin and sterigmatocystin; aflatoxin, cyclopiazonic acid and sterigmatocystin were detected in 15, 5 and 5% samples, respectively. Detection of more than one mycotoxin from chilli pericarp samples is a matter of great concern as the co-occurrence of mycotoxins may generate additive or synergistic effect in consumers.

 

Keywords: Chilli pericarp, mycoflora, aflatoxins, cyclopiazonic acid, sterigmatocystin, co-occurrence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://doi.org/10.36460/Kavaka/54/2020/96-99

 

KAVAKA 54: 96-99 (2020)

 

A novel fungal species of Spiropes on Glochidion zeylanicum - An important medicinal plant from Jashpur, Chattisgarh, India

Anurag Dubey* and Akhila Nand Rai

Department of Botany, School of Biological Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour Central University, Sagar, M.P., India, 470003

*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on April 2, 2020; Accepted on May 30, 2020)

 

 

 

ABSTRACT

Survey to collect the fungal samples from Upperghat area of Jashpur District in Chattisgarh, India was undertaken during the months from September 2016 to December 2018. During the field survey a new species of Spiropes Cif. was encountered infecting Glochidion zeylanicum (Gaertn.) A. Juss. This novel species has been named as Spiropes glochidionis sp. nov. It is characterized based on morphological comparison with previously described closely related species of this genus which exhibits both true and pseudosepta and also differs from other species in the dimensions of conidiophore and conidia. Field photographs showing symptoms on the host plant along with photomicrographs and SEM pictures of the fungus are also provided.

 

Keywords: Glochidion zeylanicum, Spiropes, new species, amphigenous, synnamata

 

 

 

https://doi.org/10.36460/Kavaka/54/2020/100-102

 

KAVAKA 54:100-102 (2020)

 

A new host record for Dictyoarthrinium sacchari (J.A. Stev.) Damon

 

Smriti Bhardwaj*, Anshu Deep Khalkho, Anurag Dubey and A.N. Rai

Laboratory of Mycotaxonomy, Department of Botany, Dr. Hari Singh Gour University Sagar M. P.

*Corresponding author Email:- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on April 8, 2020; Accepted on June 2, 2020)

 

 

ABSTRACT

While investigating the mycological diversity of Sagar district of Central India, an interesting litter hyphomycetous fungus was recorded and studied, which have its association with leaves of Cymbopogon citrates (DC.) Stapf. The symptomatology, macroscopic and microscopic features of the present collection are in conformity with the diagnostic characters of Dictyoarthrinium sacchari (J.A. Stev.) Damon. It is also noteworthy that this fungal species has never been earlier reported on this host. Hence this constitutes a new host record for Dictyoarthrinium sacchari.

 

Key words:- Hyphomycetous fungi, Dictyoarthrinium central India, leaf litter

 

 

 

 

https://doi.org/10.36460/Kavaka/54/2020/103-106

 

KAVAKA 54: 103-106 (2020)

 

Four polypore species new to Himachal Pradesh

 

Ramandeep Kaur, Avneet Pal Singh* and Gurpaul Singh Dhingra

Department of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala 147002, Punjab, India

*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on March 13, 2020; Accepted on June 15, 2020)

 

 

ABSTRACT

Four species of the polyporoid fungi, namely Ceriporia viridans (Berk. & Br.) Donk, Gloeophyllum carbonarium (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Ryvarden, Grammothele fuligo (Berk. & Broome) Ryvarden and Trametes suaveolens (L.) Fr. are described as new to Himachal Pradesh on the basis of specimens specimens collected from different parts of district Sirmaur of Himachal Pradesh. Genus Grammothele is recorded for the first time from Himachal Pradesh.

 

Key words: Polyporaceae, polypores, poroid hymenium, hyphal system

 

 

 

 

 

https://doi.org/10.36460/Kavaka/54/2020/107-114

 

KAVAKA 54: 107-114 (2020)

 

Antioxidant Properties of Two Wild Edible Mushrooms from Andhra Pradesh

Isha Sai^a,* and R. Basavarju^b

^aDepartment of Biosciences, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Anantapur Campus, 515001, AP, India

^bDepartment of Biosciences, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam Campus, 515134, AP, India

^*Corresponding author Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Submitted on May 2, 2020; Accepted on June 16, 2020)

 

 

ABSTRACT

Investigations on the antioxidant potential of the methanolic extract of two wild edible mushrooms, namely Podaxis pistillaris (L. ex Pers.) Fr. and Termitomyces heimii Natarajan from Anantapur city in the arid zone of Andhra Pradesh, India has been included in this manuscript. Different concentrations (0.25-1.25 mg/mL) of extract were used for the assays. Out of the two mushrooms, Podaxis pistillaris show very high antioxidant properties in terms of total phenolic content (93.08±2.02 mM GAEs/g at 1.25mg/mL), DPPH radical scavenging activity (91.69±0.15% at 1mg/mL), ABTS radical scavenging assay (98.53±1.50% at 1mg/mL), ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (36.50±0.13 μM trolox equivalents/mg at 1.25mg/mL) and ferrous-ion chelating activity (89.50±0.46% at 1.25mg/mL).

 

Keywords: Podaxis pistillaris, Termitomyces heimii, antioxidant activity, total phenolic content