NEHU researchers determine two leaf spot pathogens in Meghalaya — together with the first-ever report of Neoscirrhia matteucciicola in India — elevating issues for the state’s high-gingerol ginger crop.
ROOPAK GOSWAMI
SHILLONG, March 2: Meghalaya’s prized ginger — recognized for its excessive gingerol content material and premium market worth — is going through a newly recognized fungal threat that might have severe implications for farmers in the state.
A brand new peer-reviewed research by scientists from the Division of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, and the Division of Botany, North-Jap Hill College (NEHU), Shillong, has recognized two beforehand unreported fungal pathogens infecting ginger leaves in Meghalaya.
The analysis, titled “Identification and characterisation of Poitrasia circinans and Neoscirrhia matteucciicola related to ginger in Meghalaya, India”, was carried out by Vishal Kumar Mohan, Sheetal Joshi, Saroj Kanta Barik and Santa Ram Joshi. The research has been revealed in the journal, Uncover Crops (2026, 3:31)
The fungi — Neoscirrhia matteucciicola and Poitrasia circinans — have been detected in ginger fields in Meghalaya throughout a subject survey in August 2024.
Based on the authors, that is the primary documented incidence of those fungi infecting ginger crops in Meghalaya. Within the case of Neoscirrhia matteucciicola, this additionally marks the primary recorded report from India.
Till now, N. matteucciicola had been reported in Curcuma wenyujin in China and in ginger crops in Indonesia, whereas Poitrasia circinans had beforehand been related to vegetation akin to dragon fruit, tea and rice. Their detection on ginger in Meghalaya suggests a doable enlargement of the host vary.
Farmers in Meghalaya had observed uncommon white leaf spots surrounded by yellow halos. Whereas such signs might seem minor initially, they sign chlorophyll loss and decreased photosynthesis.
The research paperwork that contaminated leaves first develop white discoloured patches with surrounding chlorosis. Over time, the lesions enlarge, flip greyish, and present fungal constructions underneath microscopic examination
Leaf samples have been collected from the Mahima number of ginger and analysed in the laboratory. The crew used each morphological examination and molecular instruments, together with amplification of the ITS and 18S rDNA areas, to determine the pathogens.
Genetic sequencing outcomes confirmed excessive similarity (as much as 99–100%) with reference species.
In pathogenicity checks carried out underneath managed circumstances (28°C, 60–70% humidity), each fungi reproduced leaf spot signs inside 5–7 days, fulfilling Koch’s postulates and confirming them as causal brokers of the illness
Ginger is not only one other crop in Meghalaya — it’s a livelihood crop. The state is one in every of Northeast India’s main producers and is understood for native genotypes wealthy in gingerols.
Leaf spot ailments in ginger can result in yield losses of as much as 66% in extreme instances, as cited in the research. As well as, post-harvest and storage losses linked to fungal infections can push complete losses even greater.
The timing of the invention is important. Throughout sampling in August 2024, the air temperature was recorded at 27°C and humidity at 91.9% — circumstances extremely conducive to fungal proliferation.
With Meghalaya’s constantly excessive rainfall and moisture-rich loamy soils, the agro-climatic surroundings is good not just for ginger progress but in addition for fungal unfold.
The authors additionally warn that altering rainfall patterns and shifting weather conditions could also be facilitating the emergence of recent foliar pathogens.
The research notes that ginger is commonly grown in rotation with turmeric (Curcuma longa) in Meghalaya. Since N. matteucciicola has beforehand been reported in Curcuma wenyujin, there’s a chance of cross-infection dangers inside Zingiberaceae crops — one thing that requires additional analysis.
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