Phyllactinia actinidiae (Jacz.) Bunkina Causes Powdery Mildew on Kiwifruit in India

Abstract

Kiwifruit is an economically important crop in several countries. Several fungal and bacterial pathogens affect this crop globally. In India, also this crop is growing exponentially in temperate areas. Currently this crop has 5000 hectares area with a production of 13000 metric tonnes. Solan district is a key area for kiwifruit cultivation in Himachal Pradesh. Even though, during the initial years of introduction of this crop it was disease-free. However, with time and increasing cultivation diseases have begun to appear in this crop too. During 2020 growing season, powdery mildew symptoms were observed in the kiwifruit orchards located in the surroundings of Solan District in Himachal Pradesh. Disease incidence level was recorded from 3 to 5%. The samples from affected plants from major orchards were brought to the Fruit Pathology Laboratory of the Department for the identification and pathogenicity studies of causal organism. Based on morphological characterisation, the pathogen was identified as Phyllactinia actinidiae belonging to family Erysiphaecae. Pathogenicity of the fungus was established in both potted plants and the detached leaves. Initial symptoms of powdery mildew were observed after 8 days and 14 days on detached leaves and potted plants respectively. Even though, powdery mildew of kiwifruit has been reported from different parts of world, however, this is the first report from India to the best of our knowledge.