First report of Brachysporium britannicum (Trichosphaeriaceae) from India

Abstract

Brachysporium britannicum (Trichosphaeriales) was discovered on leaf litter from the Ramgarh forest, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India. B. britannicum was found on decaying leaf litter of Quercus floribunda. Morphologically, it lines well with Brachysporium. The conidia are produced singly or in groups at the apex of the conidiophore, typically pendulous, ellipsoid to broadly ellipsoid, predominantly two-septate (transverse), broadly rounded at ends; basal cell small, crucible-shaped, hyaline with short or small pedicel; gently expanded conspicuous central cell, disc-shaped, brown to very dark brown, occasionally subhyaline, and hyaline terminal cell are the hallmark feature of the fungus. This rare species is recorded for the first time from India. Detailed taxonomic information on this Brachysporium species includes descriptions, geographical distribution, comments and illustrations, and a comparison with closely allied taxa. © 2019, Indian Phytopathological Society.