Comparative Analysis of Fungal Incidence on Chrysanthemum Spp. At Different Floral Stages

The present study investigates the incidence, abundance, and diversity of fungi colonizing Chrysanthemum spp. flowers were collected from varied geographical locations and developmental stages. During the present investigation, a total of 41 fungal species were recorded at 10 locations. The dominant genera were Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Curvularia, Fusarium, Nigrospora, and Rhizopus, Chrysanthemum spp. The stages of colonisation of fungi were diverse at the stage of the flower (semi-open bud, open bud, bloom flower, and senescent flower). At the Bloom (S3) and senescent (S4) stages, significantly higher fungal occurrences were recorded, up to 95%, including Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus niger, Alternaria alternata, and Penicillium crysogenum. In the semi-bud stage of the flower, the fungal incidence in all significant fungi was lowered, except for Alternaria raphani and Aspergillus niger. Aspergillus terreus, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Fusarium fujikuroi, Curvularia lunata, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Nigrospora oryzae. Penicillium lilacinum was found dominantly (88%), next, Nigrospora oryzae was found 86%, Aspergillus niger 86%, Fusarium fujikuroi 85%. Recorded at the senescent stage of the flower, compared to the blooming stage, it shows Penicillium lilacinum 73%, Aspergillus niger 65%, and Nigrospora oryzae 66%. Fusarium fujikuroi incidence is 50%. All fungal species appeared only from the Bloom Stage (S3) onward. S4 Stage (Senescent Flower) again showed peak fungal incidence across all listed species. The data highlights that fungal colonization begins primarily at the Bloom Stage (S3) and intensifies in the senescent stage.