Leaf Spot of Alternanthera sessilis and Its Implications for Food Crops

A leaf spot of Alternanthera sessilis caused by Fusarium pallidoroseum (syn. F. semitectum) is described. During pathogenicity tests, the fungus caused leaf spots of Amarantbus sp. Abelmoschus esculentus (okra), Celosia sp. and Sorghum bicolor. It also caused rots of tubers of Dioscorea rotundata, D. alata, Solanum tuberosum, corms of Colocasia esculenta, bulbs of Allium cepa and roots of Daucus carota when wounded. Unwounded tubers, corms, bulbs and roots of these named plants were not infected except roots of Daucus carota which disintegrated between 4 and 6 days after inoculation.