Physiological and Nutritional Studies of Phyllosticta musarum and Helminthosporium torulosum Causing Leaf Spot Diseases of Banana

Bananas are important for food security, and even under poor conditions give a useful crop. The crop is affected by many abiotic and biotic stresses, among the biotic stresses the foliar diseases are considered as one of the serious factor in reducing the yield. Important leaf spot diseases of banana are caused by Mycosphaerella musicola, Phyllosticta musarum and Helminthosporium torulosum damage the crop to a greater extent by reducing size and weight of bunch, thus becoming a major limiting factor in cultivation of banana. The optimum temperature for the growth of P. musarum and H. torulosum was 30 and 25°C whereas, optimum pH were 6 and 5 respectively. Glucose and Sucrose were better carbon source and potassium nitrate was better nitrogen source for the growth of P. musarum and H. torulosum, respectively.