False smut of rice caused by Ustilaginoidea virens (Cooke), increasing concern in majority of rice growing areas around the world as epidemics have been reported lately. The fungus completely converts the grains into spore balls, unfit for consumption and seed production. With the increase in disease, yield loss and disease severity is accentuating. The QTLs responsible for the false smut resistance to be identified and consistent inheritability of these QTLs have to be evaluated using marker assisted selection. Due to heavy application of nitrogenous fertilizers the disease aggravates, proper management strategies needed to be framed to control the false smut disease. Progress in achieving the resistance varieties and management of false smut needs more emphasis. This review summarizes the present status in the screening of resistant varieties and management of false smut in rice.

SUMMARY :The die back disease of acid lime caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae is a serious disease that causes severe yield loss. Hence, attempts were made to assess the incidence of the disease by survey in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts. The survey report revealed that the die back of acid lime disease incidence ranged from 46.55 to 64.42 per cent. The mycelium of L. theobromae were hyaline, fast spreading, immersed, branched and septate and black coloured pycnidia were produced on the PDA medium. Conidia were initially hyaline, unicellular and ellipsoidal with granular content. Matured conidia were bi celled, thick walled dark brown in colour and it possessed longitudinal striations. Among the growth media tested, potato dextrose agar medium (90.00 mm) supported the highest mycelial growth followed by beetroot dextrose agar and nutrient agar medium (79.00 mm). The colony spreading rate was also found to be higher with the potato dextrose agar medium. While the King's B agar medium recorded the minimum mycelial growth (47.00 mm).How to cite this article : Deepan, A. Bharani and Ebenezar, E.G. (2017). Survey, morphological identification and effect of culture media on the growth of Lasiodiplodia theobromae causing die back disease in acid lime.