Fungi associated with Basal Stem Rot found
- January 23, 2022
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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Fungi associated with Basal Stem Rot found
Subject – Science and Tech
Context – Two species of fungi associated with basal stem rot found
Concept –
- Researchers from Kerala have identified two new species of fungi from the genus Ganoderma that are associated with coconut stem rot. They have also genotyped the two fungi species, named Ganodermakeralense and G. pseudoapplanatum and identified genetic biomarkers.
Basal stem rot
- The butt rot or basal stem rot of coconut is known by several names in different parts of India: Ganoderma wilt (Andhra Pradesh), Anaberoga (Karnataka) and Thanjavur wilt (Tamil Nadu), to mention a few.
- The infection begins at the roots, but symptoms include discolouration and rotting of stem and leaves.
- In the later stages, flowering and nut set decreases and finally the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) dies.
- A reddish-brown oozing is seen. This oozing has been reported only in India.
- Once infected, recovery of the plants is not likely.
- Not surprising then, that this causes a huge loss: By some estimates made in 2017, in India, around 12 million people are said to depend on coconut farming.
Late signs
- Another sign of infection is presence of shelf-like “basidiomata,” which are the fruiting or reproductive structures of the fungus, on the tree trunks. Although microscopic, many fungi, produce macroscopic fruiting structures on the substrates where they grow.
- The basidiomata of Ganoderma bear reproductive propagules (called spores) which are dispersed through wind and sometimes with the help of insects. That is how the pathogen spreads from one host to the other.
- Since the fungus is microscopic, it is only detected after the symptoms start manifesting or when the reproductive structures are borne, which can be too late.
- So far, scientists and farmers had to solely rely on the visible symptoms of the disease [which appear only at a later stage, after complete colonization], but now they can easily detect the presence of the pathogen much earlier by analysing plant extracts which can be easily obtained at any stage of growth. Future studies can use the public database entry for early detection of the pathogen.