Guidelines for the Reviewers of Kavaka

The manuscripts submitted for publication in Kavaka being Transactions of Mycological Society of India are subjected to exhaustive review system that is in tune with the COPE Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers. The journal follows the blind review system for the same. The worthy reviewers are requested to go though the following guidelines before proceeding with their review.  

Professional responsibility: 

The Editor-in-Chief/Editors will assign appropriate reviewers matching with the area and scope of the submitted manuscript to get the best reviews possible. Potential reviewers should provide journals with personal and professional information that is accurate and a fair representation of their expertise, including verifiable and accurate contact information. The reviewers should agree to review only if they have the necessary expertise to assess the manuscript and can be unbiased in assessment. 

Timeliness: 

The reviewer should respond to an invitation within a week, even if he/she cannot undertake the review. If a reviewer is unable to review, he/she can make suggestions for alternative reviewers if relevant, based on their expertise and without any influence of personal considerations or any intention of the manuscript receiving a specific outcome.
Conducting a review

After accepting the request, the reviewer should go through the manuscript, supplementary data files and ancillary material thoroughly. The reviewer should contact the Editor-in-Chief/Editor if anything is not clear and requesting any missing or incomplete items needed. 

Confidentiality: 

The reviewer should respect the confidentiality of the review process and refrain from using information obtained during the peer review process for one’s own or another’s advantage, or to disadvantage or discredit others. The reviewer should not involve anyone else in the review of a manuscript without first obtaining permission from the Editor in Chief/Editor in this regard. 

Bias and competing interests: 

In case the reviewer finds a competing interest that might prevent him/her from providing a fair and unbiased review, he/she must inform the Editor in Chief/Editor and seek advice. If a reviewer is not having the necessary expertise to assess the relevant aspects of a manuscript, he/she should immediately intimate the Editor-in-Chief/Editor so as to avoid the undue delay in the review process. The reviewer must declare all potential competing or conflicting interests. Competing interests may be personal, financial, intellectual, professional, political or religious in nature.

Suspicion of ethics violations: 

If the reviewer comes across any irregularities with respect to research and publication ethics, he/she should inform the Editor in Chief/Editor at the earliest so that appropriate action in this regard can be taken in time. 

Feedback and Review report format: 

The reviewers are requested to be objective and constructive in their review, providing feedback that will help the authors to improve their manuscript. The reviewer should act professionally and refrain from being hostile or inflammatory and from making libelous or derogatory personal comments or unfounded accusations. The review report must consider the originality of the work, salient features/significant contribution, quality of the work and mode of presentation. The reviewer should make a clear recommendation in the form of Accepted/ Requires minor revision/ Requires major revision/ Not suitable for the journal/ Rejected. The basis for the recommendation must be based on constructive arguments and facts based on the manuscript quality and the content. 

Language and style: 

The changes required in language and style if any should be sound and clear. 

Suggestions for further work: 

In case the manuscript is lacking some analyses, the reviewer should comment and explain what additional analyses would be required to clarify the work submitted.

Accountability: 

The review report should be prepared by the reviewer himself/herself. The reviewer should avoid making unfair negative comments, unjustified criticism or inclusion of one’s own or an associate’s work merely to increase citation counts. The suggestions must be based on valid sound academic or technological reasons. 

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

ON

BIODIVERSITY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY OF FUNGI

AND

47TH ANNUAL MEETING OF MYCOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF INDIA

February 22-24, 2021

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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

   Front Pages & Complete

 Preface 

doi:10.36460/Kavaka/53/2019/1-7

KAVAKA 53: 1-7 (2019)

Leaf litter saprobic Dictyosporiaceae (Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes): Pseudocoleophoma zingiberacearum sp. nov. from Hedychium coronarium

D.S. Tennakoon^1,2,3, D.J. Bhat^4,5, C.H. Kuo³ and K.D. Hyde^1,2,6*

¹School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand

²Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae FahLuangUniversity,ChiangRai, 57100, Thailand

³Department of Plant Medicine, National Chiayi University, 300 Syuefu Road, Chiayi City 60004, Taiwan

⁴Formerly Department of Botany, Goa University, Goa, India

⁵No. 128/1-J, Azad Housing Society, Curca, Goa Velha 403108, India

⁶Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

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

(Submitted on November 5, 2019; Accepted on December 15, 2019)

ABSTRACT

A new species, Pseudocoleophoma zingiberacearum, is described from dead leaves of Hedychium coronarium (Zingiberaceae) collected from Dahu forest, Alishan Mountain (656 m), Chiayi in Taiwan. Maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses were performed to confirm the phylogenetic affinities of the species. Pseudocoleophoma zingiberacearum is distinguished from other Pseudocoleophoma species based on distinct size differences in ascomata, asci, ascospores and DNA sequence data. Morphology coupled with combined gene analyses of LSU, ITS and tef1-αDNA sequence data, showed that the fungus belongs to the family Dictyosporiaceae, Dothideomycetes. This is the first species of Pseudocoleophoma recorded from the plant family Zingiberaceae. The new species is compared with other Pseudocoleophoma species and a comprehensive description and photo-micrographs are provided.

KEYWORDS: New species, leaf litter, taxonomy, phylogeny, Zingiberaceae

doi:10.36460/Kavaka/53/2019/8-11

KAVAKA 53: 8-11 (2019)

Selection of an efficient Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungus for inoculating Broom Grass (Tysandaena maxima)

N. Nikhil Sai¹, R. Ashwin¹, D.J. Bagyaraj¹* and R. Venugopala Rao²

¹Centre for Natural Biological Resources and Community Development (CNBRCD), 41 RBI Colony, Anand Nagar, Bangalore 560024, Karnataka

² Laya Resource Centre, Yendada, Visakhapatnam 530045

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

(Submitted on August 18, 2019; Accepted on October 20, 2019)

ABSTRACT

Thysanolaena maxima (broom grass) is an ever green non-timber forest produce species. Pot experiment was conducted to screen and select the efficient arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) for inoculating broom grass. Screening was done with nine different species of AMF (Funneliformis caledonium, Acaulospora laevis, Rhizophagus fasciculatus, Claroideoglomus etunicatum, Gigaspora margarita, Glomus bagyarajii, Funneliformis mosseae, Rhizophagus intraradices and Ambispora leptoticha). Plant parameters like height, stem girth, biovolume index, total plant dry weight, and mycorrhizal parameters like root colonization, spore number in the root zone soil, etc. have been recorded according to the standard procedures. Based on the important plant parameters like bio-volume index, total plant dry weight, and phosphorus uptake, it is concluded that Claroideoglomus etunicatum is the best AMF for inoculating broom grass.

KEYWORDS: AMF, Thysanolaena maxima, biovolume index, Claroideoglomus etunicatum

doi:10.36460/Kavaka/53/2019/12-21

KAVAKA 53: 12-21 (2019)

Climate change is real: fungal perspective!

Apekcha Bajpai¹* and Bhavdish N. Johri²

¹Department of Microbiology, Barkatullah University, Bhopal 462026 (M.P.), India

²Department of Biotechnology, Barkatullah University, Bhopal 462026 (M.P.), India

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

(Submitted on September 2, 2019; Accepted on November 5, 2019)

ABSTRACT

Climate change is apparent around the globe as it is dramatically affecting the natural ecosystems. The preliminary cause of climate change is increased green house gases, deforestation, and anthropogenic activities and the resultant change is seen in the form of extreme events like increased temperature, rainfall, permafrost thaw, glacial retreats, sea level, greater occurrence of wildfires, etc (NASA, 2016). It is causing tremendous effect on biodiversity therefore it becomes a serious concern globally. At the face of climate change the macroscopic organisms are either extinct or are at the verge of extinction and may adapt themselves for survival; efforts are successfully laid to conserve them but also it is equally important to focus on the existence, adaptation and alterations taking place in community composition of microscopic world. Impact of 1 trillion microbes inhabiting the planet earth on climate can be huge as they can accelerate climate change, exacerbated by pollution and habitat loss. However, they are understudied on climatic front, especially fungi, which represents a major portion of eukaryotic kingdom, resides in diverse habitats, constitutes considerable biomass on planet earth and regulate soil carbon feedback loop by deriving biogeochemical cycles; therefore they could be vulnerable to climate change largely by habitat loss. This review is an effort to draw the attention towards how fungal diversity responds to climate selection pressure either by adaptation or shifts in community composition observed during weather extremes.

KEYWORDS: Fungi, climate change, adaptation, green house gas, temperature

doi:10.36460/Kavaka/53/2019/22-28

KAVAKA 53: 22-28 (2019)

Notes on stinkhorns (Phallaceae) in the Western Ghats and West coast of India

N.C. Karun¹ and K.R. Sridhar^2,3,*

¹Western Ghats Macrofungal Research Foundation, Bittangala, Virajpet 571 218, Kodagu, Karnataka, India

²Department of Biosciences, Mangalore University, Mangalagangotri, Mangalore 574 199, Karnataka, India

³Centre for Environmental Studies, Yenepoya University, Mangalore 575 018, Karnataka, India

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

(Submitted on September 20, 2019; Accepted on November 19, 2019)

ABSTRACT

The Western Ghats and west coast of India are known for several edible, medicinal and ectomycorrhizal fungi. During macrofungal expedition in the Western Ghats and southwest coast of Karnataka, several macrofungi belonging to the family Phallaceae were collected. This study embodies morphological description with key for seven species of Phallaceae belonging to five genera (Dictyophora cinnabarina, Ileodictyon gracile, Lysurus brahmagirii, Phallus atrovolvatus, P. duplicatus, P. merulinus and Simblum periphragmoides).

KEYWORDS: Macrofungi, Dictyophora, Ileodictyon, Lysurus, Phallus, Simblum

doi:10.36460/Kavaka/53/2019/29-33

KAVAKA 53: 29-33 (2019)

Compatible solutes in halophilic filamentous fungi

Sarita W. Nazareth¹, Valerie Gonsalves^1,2*and Sushama M. Gaikwad³

¹Department of Microbiology, Goa University, Taleigao Plateau, Goa 403206, India.

²Department of Microbiology, St. Xavier's College, Mapusa, Goa

³Division of Biochemical Sciences, National Chemical Laboratory, Dr. HomiBhabha Road, Pune 411008, India.

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

(Submitted on August 18, 2019; Accepted on November 22, 2019)

ABSTRACT

Halophilic fungi combat the osmotic stress of their saline environment by the accumulation of compatible solutes, also termed as osmolytes. Filamentous fungi isolated from various athalassohaline, thalassohaline and polyhaline econiches were selected from different genera and species, on the basis of their classification as obligate and facultative halophiles. The salt tolerance index of the isolates proved their euryhaline nature, able to adapt to a wide range of salt concentrations, the obligate halophiles however, showing a tendency to a stenohaline nature, with a narrower tolerance range. Examination of the osmolyte production indicated that sucrose, trehalose, arabitol, erythritol, inositol, mannitol, dulcitol, xylitol, galactose and glucose were present, the polyols being found in each of the isolates studied. The variations in concentrations of osmolyte pools vis-à-vis the salt tolerance characteristics in the different genera and species, did not indicate any correlation with the obligate or facultative halophilic nature of the fungi, or with the saline econiches from which they were obtained, as well as with the different genera. However, the similarity in the different types of osmolytes between the different genera and species, indicated their notable role in osmoadaptation in fungi in general.

KEYWORDS: Osmolyte, halophilic, fungi, hypersaline, polyhaline

doi:10.36460/Kavaka/53/2019/34-41

KAVAKA 53: 34-41 (2019)

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungal diversity on stabilized iron ore mine dumps in Goa, India

Tanvi N. Prabhu and B. F. Rodrigues*

Department of Botany, Goa University, Goa 403 206.

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

(Submitted on November 30, 2019 ; Accepted on December 13, 2019)

ABSTRACT

The present study was carried out to explore arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal diversity on stabilized iron ore mine dumps in Goa. A total of 84 plant species belonging to 36 families were examined for the occurrence of AM fungal diversity in two study sites of which 21 plants were common to both sites. All the plants undertaken for study were found to be mycorrhizal. In our study 19 AM fungal species belonging to eight genera, viz. Acaulospora, Funneliformis, Gigaspora, Glomus, Racocetra, Rhizophagus, Sclerocystis and Scutellospora were recovered. Acaulospora was dominant genus at both the sites. Based on Relative abundance (RA) and Isolation frequency (IF), Gigaspora albida was found to be dominant at site 1, while Scutellospora heterogama was dominant at site 2.

KEYWORDS: restoration; spore density; root colonization; mine dumps.

doi:10.36460/Kavaka/53/2019/42-47

KAVAKA 53: 42-47 (2019)

A checklist of agaricoid russulaceous mushrooms from Jammu and Kashmir, India

Komal Verma*, S.A.J. Hashmi*, N.S. Atri** and Yash Pal Sharma*

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

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

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

(Submitted on August 13, 2019 ; Accepted on November 15, 2019)

ABSTRACT

A literature based checklist of the family Russulaceae occurring in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), India is presented. It consists of 51 species of russulaceous mushrooms belonging to three genera viz., Russula, Lactarius and Lactifluus. Genus Russula is the most speciose rich (35 spp.), followed by Lactarius (12 spp.) and Lactifluus (4 spp.). This checklist provides a comprehensive data of the russulaceous mushrooms from J&K.

KEYWORDS: Ectomycorrhizal, inventory, Jammu, Kashmir Valley, Russulaceae

doi:10.36460/Kavaka/53/2019/48-54

KAVAKA 53: 48-54 (2019)

Metallothioneins mediated intracellular copper homeostasis in ectomycorrhizal fungus Suillus indicus

Shikha Khullar, Anuja Sharma, Radhika Agnihotri and M. Sudhakara Reddy*

Department of Biotechnology, Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Patiala, 147004, Punjab, India

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

(Submitted on October 27, 2019; Accepted on December 20, 2019)

ABSTRACT

Ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM) are known to protect the host plant from heavy metal stress. But the information on molecular mechanisms involved in this process is still ambiguous. The present study intends on providing insight into the Cu detoxification mechanism in ECM fungus Suillus indicus, a new species isolated from north western Himalayas. Two metallothionein genes SuiMT1 and SuiMT2, were isolated from the S. indicus cDNA and characterized for their potential role in Cu-detoxification and homeostasis. The response of these genes to the extracellular concentrations of copper was studied by qPCR analysis. Both genes were actively induced under exogenous Cu stress, thus can be classified as Cu-thioneins. Further, the functional complementation of these genes in the Cu sensitive yeast mutant cup1^Δ, successfully restored their wild type phenotype of Cu tolerance. This shows that both SuiMT1 and SuiMT2 plays an important role in Cu detoxification and homeostasis in ECM fungus S. indicus.

KEYWORDS: Ectomycorrhizal fungi, Suillus indicus, metallothionein, copper, metal homeostasis, yeast complementation, qPCR

doi:10.36460/Kavaka/53/2019/55-60

KAVAKA 53: 55-60 (2019)

Observations on entomopathogenic fungus Ophiocordyceps neovolkiana on Coconut root grub Leucopholis coneophora

P. K. Laya¹*, C. K. Yamini Varma², K. Anita Cherian³, M. M. Anees⁴ and C. R. Rashmi⁵

^1,3,4Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara 680656, Kerala, India

² Department of Plant Pathology, AICRP on Spices, Pepper Research Station, Panniyur 670142, Kerala, India

⁵Department of Vegetable Science, AICVIP, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara 680656, Kerala, India

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

(Submitted on August 20, 2019; Accepted on November 19, 2019)

ABSTRACT

Ophiocordyceps are entomopathogenic fungi on arthropods which parasitize, kill and mummify hosts and produce fruit bodies out of them. Due to the presence of many bioactive compounds like adenosine, cordycepin, ergosterol, these fungi have been used as food as well as medicine against many diseases. Even though cosmopolitan in distribution, many Ophiocordyceps like O. sinensis are mostly confined to high Himalayan Mountains in India, China, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan at an altitude of 3000 to 5000 msl. Owing to high price, Cordyceps are known as "Himalayan gold". From surveys conducted in coastal sandy areas of Kasargod District (Kerala), it was observed that Ophiocordyceps sp. attacks coconut root grubs (Leucopholis coneophora Burm.), which is an endemic pest in the sandy tracts. The fungus was isolated in potato dextrose agar medium. Detailed morphological studies have been carried out. The molecular characterization showed homology with Ophiocordyceps neovolkiana (Kobayasi) strain KC1 with 98% identity. The ITS sequence has been deposited at NCBI with accession # MH668282 and culture has been deposited in the National Fungal Culture Collection of India with herbarium # NFCCI 4331.

KEYWORDS: Cordyceps, isolation, morphology, coconut root grub, coastal sandy region, southwest India, Kasargodc

doi:10.36460/Kavaka/53/2019/61-66

KAVAKA 53: 61-66 (2019)

Diversity and antibacterial activity of endophytic fungi associated with a hydrophyte Aponogeton natans

W. Jamith Basha¹, Kalyanaraman Rajagopal², B. Meenashree³, R. Arulmathi⁴, A.K. Kathiresan⁵, G. Gayathri⁵, G. Kathiravan² and S.S. Meenambiga⁶*

¹Department of Microbiology, Northern Border University, Arar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia-91431.

²Department of Botany, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College (Autonomous), Chennai- 600004, India.

³Asthagiri Herbal Research Foundation, Chennai- 600096

⁴Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Vels Institute of Science Technology and Advanced Studies (VISTAS), Chennai- 600117, India.

⁵Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Vels Institute of Science Technology and Advanced Studies (VISTAS), Chennai- 600117, India

⁶*Department of Bio-Engineering, School of Engineering, Vels Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies (VISTAS), Chennai, India.

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

(Submitted on August 10, 2019; Accepted on November 12, 2019)

ABSTRACT

An endophytic fungus is an integral part the plant micro biome and colonizes the plant both systemically and non-systemically. In the present investigation endophytic fungi were isolated from leaf of a medicinally important hydrophyte, Aponogeton natans. Three hundred and fifty one isolates belonging to 15 different species were isolated. Alternaria alternata, Cytospora sp., Aspergillus fumigatus, Chaetomium incomptum and Phomopsis sp. showed higher colonization frequency. Alkaloids and Flavonoids were produced by all endophytic fungi in their crude extract and terpenoid was produced by 14 endophytic fungi. The antibacterial activity of ethyl acetate and diethylether extracts of four dominant endophytic fungi, viz. Alternaria alternata, Chaetomium incomptum, Phomopsis sp. and Sterile form I were tested. Bioactive compounds produced in ethyl acetate extract was more effective than diethylether compounds in inhibiting pathogens. Thus, this study provides an insight on the diversity of endophytic fungi and their varied anti-bacterial properties.

KEYWORDS: Hydrophyte, leaf, alkaloid, flavonoid, gram positive bacteria, gram negative bacteria

doi:10.36460/Kavaka/53/2019/67-71

KAVAKA 53: 67-71 (2019)

Some new records of resupinate non-poroid fungi from Himachal Pradesh

Ramandeep Kaur¹, Maninder Kaur², Ellu Ram¹, Ritu¹, Avneet Pal Singh¹* and G. S. Dhingra¹

¹Department of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala 147002

²Department of Botany, Dev Samaj College for Women Ferozepur 152002

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

(Submitted on September 27, 2019; Accepted on October 9, 2019)

ABSTRACT

Seven species of resupinate, non-poroid fungi, namely Amethicium luteoincrustatum Hjortstam & Ryvarden, Lopharia mirabilis (Berk. & Broome) Pat., Membranomyces spurius (Bourdot) Jülich, Phanerochaete chrysosporium Burds., Radulodon acaciae G. Kaur, Avneet P. Singh & Dhingra, Sistotrema heteronemum (J. Erikss.) Å. Strid and S. resinicystidium Hallenb. have been recorded for the first time from the state of Himachal Pradesh. Of the seven species described, Membranomyces spurius and Sistotrema resinicystidium are described for the first time from India.

KEYWORDS: Basidiomycota, Agaricomycetes, Himalaya, resupinate wood rotting fungi.

doi:10.36460/Kavaka/53/2019/72-79

KAVAKA 53: 72-79 (2019)

Documentation of yeast-like pathogens causing onychomycosis from Doda Region of Jammu and Kashmir (India)

Sandeep Kotwal¹, Geeta Sumbali¹* and Sundeep Jaglan²

¹Department of Botany, University of Jammu, Jammu, 180006- India

² Microbial Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, India

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

(Submitted on August 22, 2019; Accepted on November 25, 2019)

ABSTRACT

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail bed and nail plate predominantly caused by anthropophilic dermatophytes. However, these days, non dermatophytes, yeasts and yeast-like pathogens are continuously emerging as important etiological agents of onychodystrophy. It affects particularly the nails of elders, diabetics, immune compromised individuals, smokers and patients with psoriasis, reduced peripheral circulation or tinea pedis, as well as those with history of nail trauma or with family history of onychomycosis. The treatment of onychomycosis is dependent on several factors, including the type of onychomycosis and causative organism. A number of techniques have been used in the past to accurately diagnose onychomycosis and among these, microscopy and culturing are being used most frequently. However, these techniques are not completely reliable for confirming the identity of yeast and yeast-like pathogens. Therefore, during the present investigation, both mycological and molecular techniques were attempted to identify the yeast-like species causing onychomycosis. On this basis, three yeast-like species viz., Candida parapsilosis (Ashford) Langeron & Talice, C. tropicalis (Castellani) Berkhout and Aureobasidium pullulans (de Bary & Lowenthal) Arnaud were identified to cause finger and toe nail infections among the residents of hilly Doda region (J.&K.), India.

KEYWORDS: Onychomycosis, Candida, Aureobasidium, NCBI, MEGA6 software, GenBank

doi:10.36460/Kavaka/53/2019/80-81

KAVAKA 53: 80-81 (2019)

A rare Russula (Russulaceae) from Kerala, India

S. Ratheesh¹, K.B. Vrinda* and C.K. Pradeep

Plant Systematics & Evolutionary Science Division, Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden & Research Institute, Palode, Thiruvananthapuram 695 562, Kerala

¹Research centre: University of Kerala

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

(Submitted on October 28, 2019; Accepted on November 29, 2019)

ABSTRACT

Russula innocua, a rare species is collected from Kerala state during an ongoing study on the Russulaceae of Kerala. Full description, field photographs and illustrations of this species are provided.

KEYWORDS: Ectomycorrhiza, new record, Russula, taxonomy

doi:10.36460/Kavaka/53/2019/82-84

KAVAKA 53: 82-84 (2019)

Gyrothrix kigeliae: A novel setose fungus from Central India

Smriti Bhardwaj*, Ravindra Singh Thakur, 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 September 10, 2019; Accepted on December 2, 2019)

ABSTRACT

A new species of anamorphic setose dematacious hyphomycete, Gyrothrix kigeliae was isolated from dead leaves of Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth. collected from Dr. H. S. Gour University campus, Sagar M. P. India, is described in this paper. The new species is recognized based on morphological comparison with hitherto described species in the genus. Gyrothrix kigeliae exhibits both astromatic and stromatic colonies on the substrate and differs from other species by smaller conidiophore and conidia. Besides photomicrographic illustration and SEM pictures of the fungus are provided.

KEYWORDS: Leaf litter, setae, Gyrothrix, dematacious hyphomycetes

doi:10.36460/Kavaka/53/2019/85-91

KAVAKA 53:85-91 (2019)

Endophytic mycobiota recorded from Clerodendrum inerme and their biological activities

Madhankumar Dhakshinamoorthy and Kannan Kilavan Packiam

Department of Biotechnology, Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Sathyamangalam, Erode District-638401, TamilNadu, India.

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

(Submitted on July 15, 2019; Accepted on November 30, 2019)

ABSTRACT

Endophytic fungi were isolated from the medicinal plant, Clerodendrum inerme (L.) Gaertn., which was collected from Western Ghats of Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, Sathyamangalam, Erode District, Tamil Nadu. As many as 150 segments were screened from leaves, twigs and shoots of selected medicinal plant. A total of 31 species which belong to 31 genera were recorded among which 12 isolates were classified into sterile morpho species. Biodiversity indices such as Gleason index (G) and Shannon index of leaf, shoot, twigs shows the maximum species diversity. Jaccard's similarity coefficient represents the maximum similarity in leaves-twigs (0.20) followed by leaves-shoot (0.2631) and twigs-leaves (0.1764). The selected endophytic fungal strains were mass cultured in modified PDB medium at 27±2°C for 14 days. Mycelia and broth were separated by filtration. The mycelial cells were ultra sonicated and the biological compounds were extracted through chloroform and methanol. The compounds were tested and also quantified, the antioxidant property was evaluated by employing DPPH, FRAP, FTC, TPC, and TBA assays. The antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity recorded was around 99% inhibition at the concentration of 6.25-20mg/mL. The total phenolic content of 3.142-4.445±2.85 µg/mL was evaluated and compared with standard Tannic acid. The endophytic fungal extract was evaluated for its antibacterial activities. Agar well diffusion exhibits the inhibition range of 15-22 mm. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration showed the antibacterial potency at lower concentration of 12.5-25 µg/mL with all gram positive and gram negative bacterial strains studied.

KEYWORDS: Endophytes, Biodiversity indices, Minimum inhibitory concentration, DPPH, TPC

doi:10.36460/Kavaka/53/2019/92-95

KAVAKA 53: 92-95 (2019)

New records of genus Marasmius (Marasmiaceae) from India

Munruchi Kaur and Aakriti Gupta

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 November 15, 2019; Accepted on December 25, 2019)

ABSTRACT

Three species of Marasmius, viz. M. fulvoferrugineus Gilliam, M. pallescens Murrill and M. pseudobambusinus Desjardin are recorded from India. Comprehensive descriptions, photographs and discussion on each species is provided.

KEYWORDS: Broom cells, Sicci, non- institious, institious.

doi:10.36460/Kavaka/53/2019/96-99

KAVAKA 53: 96-99 (2019)

In vitro cultivation of Gigaspora decipiens using transformed roots of Linum usitatissimum

Dhillan, M. Velip and B. F. Rodrigues*

Department of Botany, Goa University, Goa 403 206

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

(Submitted on November 12, 2019; Accepted on December 17, 2019)

ABSTRACT

Symbiosis between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and higher plants provides a wide scope for its use as biofertilizer. Mass multiplication of pure AMF cultures however, has always been a challenge. Use of transformed roots for the establishment of monoxenic cultures of AMF is being done in recent years but with a low success rate with regard to spore production in vitro. The present study exhibits a successful attempt towards in vitro culturing and sporulation of Gigaspora decipiens Hall & Abbott in transformed roots of Linum usitatissimum L. (Flax) Also, the present study describes a technique wherein spore germination and in vitro root colonization can be brought about in the same Petri plate rather than transferring a prior germinated AM spore among the T-DNA roots. This technique minimizes the effect of relocation of germinating spores thereby hastening root colonization.

KEYWORDS: Sporulation, culturing, AMF, monoxenic culture, transformed roots

doi:10.36460/Kavaka/53/2019/100-105

KAVAKA 53: 100-105 (2019)

Some interesting records of corticioid and poroid fungi from district Kullu (Himachal Pradesh)

Ellu Ram, 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 September 28, 2019; Accepted on November 19, 2019)

ABSTRACT

An account of three corticioid fungi i.e., Byssomerulius corium (Pers.) Parmasto, Crustoderma drynium (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Parmasto, Skvortzovia georgica (Parmasto) G. Gruhn & Hallenb. and four poroid species i.e., Earliella scabrosa (Pers.) Gilb. & Ryvarden, Ganoderma australe (Fr.) Pat., Physisporinus lineatus (Pers.) F. Wu, Jia J. Chen & Y.C. Dai and Pycnoporus sanguineus (L.) Murrill, is presented based on the collections made from district Kullu (Himachal Pradesh). All these seven species are new additions to the mycoflora of district Kullu (Himachal Pradesh). Of these, Skvortzovia georgica and Pycnoporus sanguineus are being described as new record for India and Himachal Pradesh, respectively. It is also important to mention here that five of the genera namely, Byssomerulius, Crustoderma, Earliella, Pycnoporus and Skvortzovia are being described for the first time from the study area.

KEYWORDS: Corticioids, polypores, wood rotting fungi, resupinate, basidiocarp

doi:10.36460/Kavaka/53/2019/106-116

KAVAKA 53: 106-116 (2019)

Morphological and molecular characterization of Fusarium verticillioides (F. moniliforme) associated with Post-Flowering Stalk Rot (PFSR) of Maize in Karnataka

S. Dharanendra Swamy¹, S. Mahadevakumar¹, H.B. Hemareddy², K.N. Amruthesh¹, S. Mamatha², G. Sridhara Kunjeti³, K. R. Sridhar⁴, R. Swapnil², T. Vasantha Kumar⁵ and N. Lakshmidevi⁶

¹Department of Studies in Botany, Manasagangotri, University of Mysore, Mysuru-570 006, Karnataka, India

²Bayer Crop Science Ltd., Kallinayakanahalli, Thondebhavi Post - 561213, Gauribidanur Taluk, Chikkaballapura District, Karnataka, India.

³Monsanto Holdings Pvt. Ltd. (a subsidiary of Bayer AG), Kallinayakanahalli, Thondebhavi Post - 561213, Gauribidanur Taluk, Chikkaballapura District, Karnataka, India

⁴Department of Biosciences, Mangalore University, Mangalagangotri, Mangalore 574 199, Karnataka, India.

⁵Green Life Science Technologies, #765, 8th main, B Block, 3rd stage, Vijayanagara, Mysuru - 570 030, Karnataka, India.

⁶Department of Studies in Microbiology, Manasagangotri, University of Mysore, 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 November 5, 2019; Accepted on December 17, 2019)

ABSTRACT

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the major staple cereal crop in the world and is the third-largest grown cereal crop in India. Field surveys conducted from 2013-15 recorded stalk rot incidence ranged from 18-45%in 10 major maize growing districts of Karnataka state. The typical symptoms were observed after flowering season and it starts with the drying of the lower leaves and premature wilting, lower internodes turned into grey-green color and stalks are hollow and weak leading to the lodging of the plant. In our previous studies, we identified several pathogens associated with stalk rot disease incidence and Fusarium turned out to be major threat in all the study regions. However, identity of the Fusarium isolate was not confirmed. Therefore, in the present study, identification was confirmed as Fusarium verticillioides by morphological, cultural and molecular sequence analysis was done. Fusarium species associated with stalk rot disease were isolated on the PDA medium. A total of 219 fungal isolates were obtained from Post Flowering Stalk Rot samples and 132 were identified as F. verticillioides which represented more than 68% of total isolations. Isolates were identified based on cultural and morphological characteristics. However, identity of 12 selected isolates was confirmed by molecular identification. The ITS-rDNA and TEF gene were amplified and sequenced using ITS1/ITS4, TEF1/TEF2 primer pairs, respectively. The BLASTn search and phylogenetic analysis confirmed their identity as Fusarium verticillioides. Pathogenicity tests conducted on 60-day-old maize plants by injecting conidial suspension produced typical stalk rot symptoms after 30 days of post-inoculation and the pathogen's identity was re-confirmed by cultural and morphological features. Occurrence of F. verticillioides with ear rot, seed borne incidence and root rot of maize was reported from different regions. However, association of F. verticillioides and its molecular characterization by ITS-rDNA and TEF from Karnataka were limited and the present study provided evidence for the occurrence of F. verticillioides as a major disease causing pathogen of stalk rot.

KEYWORDS: Relative per cent occurrence, Disease severity score, Post-flowering stalk rot, pathogenicity, molecular identification.

doi:10.36460/Kavaka/53/2019/117-125

KAVAKA 53: 117-125 (2019)

Taxonomic studies on wood inhabiting polypores from Chennai

Kezhocuyi Kezo, G. Sugantha and K. Malarvizhi*

CAS in Botany, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai-600025, Tamil Nadu.

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

(Submitted on October 28, 2019; Accepted on December 23, 2019)

ABSTRACT

A total of eleven polypore species, Coriolopsis aspera (Jungh.) Teng, C. Caperata (Berk.) Murrill, C. polyzona (Pers.) Ryvarden, Daedalea quercina (L.) Pers., Earliella scabrosa (Pers.) Gilb. & Ryvarden, Flavodon flavus (Klotzsch) Ryvarden, Hexagonia hirta (P. Beauv.) Fr., H. tenuis (Hook.) Fr., Laetiporus sulphureus (Bull.) Murrill, Polyporus varius (Pers.) Fr. and Truncospora tephropora (Mont.) Zmitr. belonging to three families under order Polyporales are described and illustrated for the first time from Chennai (Tamil Nadu).

KEYWORDS: Basidiomycota, polypores, wood-decay, taxonomy