Identification and pathogenicity of mycoflora associated with leaf spot disease of Aloe vera

The quantity and quality of mucilaginous gel utilized for both medical and commercial uses are decreased by leaf spot, a major and catastrophic disease of Aloe vera. This investigation was carried out to identify the fungi linked to Aloe vera leaf spot disease. Aseptically obtained Aloe vera leaves exhibiting illness symptoms were sent to the lab for pathogen isolation. In order to examine the morphological and cultural traits of each isolated fungus, it was purified and cultivated on PDA. From Aloe vera leaves exhibiting symptoms of leaf spot, five fungus were isolated and identified as Alternaria alternata, Nigrospora oryzae, Curvularia lunata, Aspergillus niger, and Penicillium spp. Alternaria alternata and Penicillium spp. had the highest isolation frequency. Based on the Koch’s postulate pathogenicity test, Alternaria alternata, Nigrospora oryzae, and Curvularia lunata were found to be pathogenic on Aloe vera leaves. Maximum disease severity (49.05%) was observed in case of Alternaria alternata followed by Nigrospora oryzae (26.62%) and Curvularia lunata(18.85%).