BHU Discovers New Phytopathogenic Fungus, Epicoccum indicum

Researchers at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi have made a significant discovery in plant pathology. They have identified a new species of phytopathogenic fungus, Epicoccum indicum, which causes leaf spot disease in Chrysopogon zizanioides (vetiver). This finding is crucial for agricultural research, as vetiver is widely used for medicinal and environmental purposes.

A research team led by Senior Assistant Professor Raghvendra Singh and research scholar Soumyadeep Rajwar classified this new species using morpho-cultural characteristics and multigene molecular phylogenetic analysis. Their study was published in the prestigious journal Fungal Diversity on December 19, 2024. This marks another milestone for BHU in fungal biodiversity research.

Why Is This Discovery Important?

Vetiver is a valuable plant known for its medicinal uses in treating pain, inflammation, and infections. However, the newly discovered Epicoccum indicum poses a threat to its cultivation. Identifying this fungus is the first step toward developing disease management strategies to protect vetiver crops.

Understanding the fungal strain’s genetic structure will help researchers develop early detection methods and preventive solutions for farmers. This is particularly important for sustainable agriculture, as uncontrolled fungal infections can reduce vetiver’s yield and quality.

How Does This Relate to Past Discoveries?

BHU has been at the forefront of mycological research in recent years. In November 2022, its scientists, in collaboration with the Agharkar Research Institute and Kerala Forest Research Institute, discovered a new fungal genus, Neokamalomyces indicus, from banyan tree leaves. This fungus is being studied for its potential in antibiotics and cancer treatments .

In January 2024, BHU researchers also identified a new rust fungus family, Nyssopsoraceae, found on Toona sinensis leaves in Uttarakhand. Rust fungi are known to cause severe damage to agriculture, horticulture, and forestry, making this an important breakthrough for plant disease control .

What Are the Future Implications?

The discovery of Epicoccum indicum highlights the importance of fungal biodiversity studies for agriculture and medicine. With climate change and evolving plant diseases, identifying new pathogens can help in the development of:

• Sustainable farming techniques to prevent crop losses
• New pharmaceutical compounds derived from fungi
• Better disease management strategies for commercial crops

BHU’s continued work in fungal research reinforces its role as a leader in plant pathology. This discovery not only contributes to scientific knowledge but also aids farmers and researchers in finding natural ways to protect crops from emerging plant diseases.

Summary of the news