Vol. 11, Special Issue 9 (2022)

Author(s):
Rambabu Dasi, Nabakishor Nongmaithem, L Nondrenkhomba Singh and Rimamay Konjengbam

Abstract:
Maize is an important cereal crop across India as well as in Manipur state. It has wider diversity of soil and climate. In India it contributes 30% of economy. Maize prone to many diseases among them Turcicum leaf blight which is caused by Exserohilum turcicum has importance because of losses caused by the disease. Seven isolates were collected from different districts of Manipur viz. Bishnupur, Churachandpur, Imphal East and Imphal West for characterization of morphological variations. Conidial shape of all isolates was elliptical and curved having fusiform tip. Septation of was ranging from 3-7 and average septation was recorded as 6.09. The maximum conidial length was 93.83µm, width was 15.73 µm for ET6 and minimum conidial length and width was 76.96 µm and 11.33 µm respectively for ET2. The average fresh weight and dry weight of mycelial mat was 3.67gm and 0.355mg.Maximum fresh weight and dry weight recorded as 4.55 gm and 0.422 mg for ET6 and minimum fresh weight and dry weight recorded as 3.21gm and 0.308mg for ET2. These studies may useful for further studies on E. turcicum for disease management of Turcicum leaf blight of maize.