Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Udaipur, Campus Jcbner (Rajasthan)
P. spinacea was found to cause leaf spot of spinach with an intensity of 7.69 per cent around Jobner. The fungus was found to be pathogenic but the symptoms developed by artificial inoculations were not identical with those found in nature. The pathogen could infect Beta vulgaris and Basella rubra. ‘Prickly Seeded’ and ‘Banerjee's Giant’ varieties of spinach were observed to be resistant to the pathogen. Natural and synthetic media showed a marked influence on growth and sporulation. Best growth was supported by Richard's medium. The pathogen could tolerate a wide range of H-ion concentration, best growth being at pH 5. Higher temperature were not suitable either for growth or for sporulation. Amongst the carbon sources, maltose and sucrose were observed to be better utilized. Calcium nitrate prooved to be the best nitrogen source. Cystine and glutamic acid promoted best growth amongst mixed nitrogen sources.
