Study on the occurrence of perfect stage of okra powdery mildew in Himachal Pradesh

Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Moench popularly known as Bhendi or lady's finger is one of the important vegetable crops grown throughout the country under open and protected cultivation conditions. Okra plants growing at Sharbo located at 2100 m above msl were found infected with a powdery mildew fungus. Microscopic observations revealed the occurrence of both anamorphic as well as teleomorphic stages of the fungus. The anamorphic stage included mycelium, conidiophores and conidia. The teleomorphic stage included perithecia which were dark brown, globose, with mycelloid, irregularly branched and hyaline appendages. Each perithecium contained 10–15 asci which were pedicillate, ovate to broadly ovate or ellipsoid and measured 50–70 x 25–40 μm. Each ascus contained 2–3 (usually 2) ascospores which were one-celled, hyaline and oval to sub-cylindrical. On the basis of the morphological characters of the anamorph as well as teleomorph the fungus was identified as Erysiphe cichoracearum DC. Previously only the anamorphic stage of the fungus was observed. In the present study occurrence of the teleomorphic stage of okra powdery mildew Erysiphe cichoracearum has been reported for the first time in dry temperate zone of Himachal Pradesh.