Fungal Diversity in Leaves of White Violet (Viola canescens Wall. in Roxb.) in Almora, Uttarakhand

Twenty two genera comprising 57 species of fungi were isolated from the leaves of Viola canescens Wall. in Roxb.. Fewer fungal isolates were recovered from younger leaves than older samples. There were 2 species (3.50%) of zygomycetes, 14 species (24.56%) of Ascomycetes, 37 species (64.91%) of Deuteromycetes, 1 species of Basidiomycetes (1.75%) and 3 species (5.26%) of sterile mycelia. Deuteromycetes were found to be the most dominant flora. Three different methods were used for isolation of fungi. The minimum number of fungi was recorded by moist chamber method at flowering stage whereas the highest number was recorded by washed disc method at senescent stage. Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus candidus, A. flavus, A. niger, Penicillium chrysogenum, Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum and Puccinia violae were obtained from all the three methods and were present in all the life stages of the test plant.