Abstract

P. Ahila Devi, S. Mohan2 N. Kalieswari and N. Maharaja

Ten isolates of Alternaria helianthi were collected from different sunflower growing areas of Tamil Nadu. Most isolates preferred pH levels of 6.96-7.15, temperature 29.22-33.93°C and incubation time of 24 h. The nutritional studies were taken up to know the best source of carbon and nitrogen required for the growth and sporulation of the fungus. Six different carbon sources tried, Glucose was found to be the best source of carbon for the growth and the seven different nitrogen sources tested, ammonium nitrate supported good growth and sporulation.