New records of powdery mildew fungi on stone fruits from India

Powdery mildew disease is one of the major fungal diseases, affecting most of the crops including stone fruits. Due to their economical significance, the precise identification proof of the causal fungus is fundamental for their effective control. Seventy-five powdery mildew samples were collected across Kashmir valley (J&K, India) from each of the three stone fruits viz., peach (Prunus persica), plum (Prunus domestica) and apricot (Prunus armeniaca) for the taxonomic studies of associated fungi. The powdery mildew fungi were identified based on morphological features and by molecular characterization using ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Three species from two genera viz., Podosphaera and Erysiphe of Erysiphacea family were identified. The species identified were P. pannosa on peach, P. ampla on apricot and Erysiphe prunastri on plum. Amongst the identified fungal species, P. ampla on apricot is hitherto unreported from Asia, P. pannosa on peach and E. prunastri on plum from India.