First report of Diplocarpon mespili on loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) in Pakistan

The present study reports the pathogenic fungus of loquat, Diplocarpon mespili (= Entomosporum m.), responsible for leaf spot, from Pakistan. Leaf symptoms were observed as circular, bright red spots on young leaves that later on turned to purple blotches with ash brown grey centres. The spots coalesced to form large dead areas on leaf surfaces. The fungus was identified as D. mespili on the basis of typical insect like conidia and morphological characters. The chlamydosporic phase of the fungus was observed when the fungal cultures were incubated for three months at 20oC. The fungus grew well on PDA at 25oC. Pathogenicity tests conducted on healthy plants under lab conditions resulted in appearance of typical leaf spots on young leaves. This is the first report of Diplocarpon mespili, with chlamydosporic stage causing leaf spot of loquat for Pakistan.