M.D. JAIN AND Y.A. ALI
Abstract
Pongamia pinnata, an ornamental and shade tree possesses various chemotherapeutic values so, observed as an important medicinal plant. Other than pests' infestation, leaf deformation and gall formation on leaves of Pongamia pinnata due to microorganisms is comparatively a less studied aspect. It was studied for one year on Pongamia pinnata trees in Akola city. The total number of leaves from 50 branches representing 10 trees from different areas was found to be ranging from 2500 to 3321 and number of gall bearing leaves ranged from 8% to 49% of total leaves. Gall bearing leaves were found much less in number during April to June whereas October to March period showed great increase in gall formation on leaves. Thus it was found that low temperature favours gall formation on leaves. When the transverse sections through healthy leaf and through gall were observed and compared, a distorted anatomy within gall was observed. The bacterium isolated from gall was found to be a Gram negative, rod-shaped, non-sporulating, motile organism growing as circular, non-pigmented colonies with copious extra cellular slime production on nutrient media. it is an organism growing optimally at about 25°C to 28°C.