Two New Species and some Noteworthy Records on Fungi on Indian Conifers

Abstract

The paper deals with five important pathogens occurring on conifers in India. A new species of Ploioderma, P.cedri, is reported to cause premature defoliation of infected needles in deodar. Technical description of the species is given. Caeoma himalayensis sp. nov. is recorded on fir needles and is described. The species is considered as conspecific with either Melampsora ciliata on Populus ciliata or M. capraearum on Salix tetrasperma. Discosia strobilina is recorded on spruce needles for the first time. Coleosporium himalayensis on blue pine needles is a new record from India. Periodermium piceae attacking spruce needles is confirmed as alternate stage of Chrysomyx himalensis on Rhododendron arboreum by cross inoculations.