Abstract
It has been demonstrated that two pathogenic forms of Leveillula taurica (Lev.) Arn. exist in the field of Ghana. One form is restricted to Capsicum peppers and the other infects eggplants (Solanum melongena L.). Isolates from peppers readily infected both eggplants and Capsicum peppers in artificial inoculations. Eggplant isolates infected eggplants but, in general, failed to infect the peppers. Conidia collected from infected leaves of eggplants were consistently broader and shorter than those collected from infected pepper plants. Conidia produced after successful cross-inoculations retained their original form and dimensions. Isolates could not be differentiated on the basis of germ tube characteristics. The latent period of germination of the conidia was 2 h for both forms, and their endophytic mycelia produced globose haustoria, some of which were formed at the tips of hyphae. It is proposed that the two forms are formae speciales of Leveillula taurica.
