Lophodermium indianum. [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria].
Abstract A description is provided for Lophodermium indianum. Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: Pinus caribaea, P. glabra, P. patula, P. roxburghii, P. serotina, P. taeda; previous reports of this species on P. thunbergii are incorrect. DISEASE: Needle cast of pines. Ascocarps of this species occur predominantly on dead needles in the litter, so that at first sight it appears to be saprophytic. Almost nothing is known of its ecology, however, and since many other species of this genus inhabitating pine needles are known to exist as endophytes in apparently healthy needles before producing ascocarps, this species should be regarded as a potential pathogen until shown to be otherwise. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Asia (India: Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh; Pakistan: Rawalpindi). TRANSMISSION: By air-borne ascospores in wet or humid weather.