Abstract

While studying the diseases of understorey plants in a mixed plantation of deciduous tree species in the campus of this institute, a severe leaf spot disease of Ichnocarpus frutescens (L.) R. Br. was recorded. The necrotic leaf spots were observed only on mature leaves. Consistent isolations from the infected leaves yielded a Phomopsis sp. on potato dextrose agar medium. Pathogenicity was confirmed on leaves of I. frutescens. Characteristic leaf spot symptoms developed after 10 days of inoculation. Since this isolate differs in taxonomical characters from the species reported earlier, it is described as a new species of Phomopsis viz Phomopsis ichnocarpi. This is the first report of Phomopsis sp. causing a leaf spot disease of I. frutescens