Study of symptoms, cultural characteristic and isolation of Cercospora species causing tikka disease of ground in Ranchi district of Jharkhand

Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) is one of the most popular oilseeds crops widely grown in India. This crop is severely affected by leaf spot disease caused by Cercospora species leading to brown to black coloured spots on the leaves which hinder the market quality of the groundnut. The spotting is due to the attack of Cercospora personata (Berk. and Curt.) Ell. and Ever. and Cercospora arachidicola Hori. The present study concentrated on the study of symptoms, cultural characteristic and isolation of Cercospora species causing tikka disease of ground. The first visible symptoms appeared on the leaflets of lower leaves as dark spots which at a later stage, were surrounded by yellow rings. Cultural studies of both Cercospora species grown on PDA media showed that potato dextrose agar is good for the growth. Both the fungus Cercospora arachidicola and Cercosporidium personatum showed quite faster growth in the media used and comparatively same radial growth on potato dextrose agar. However, fungi failed sporulate on the medium. Temperature requirement of the fungus was found 25°C where good growth was observed.