Leaf Gall of Torilis japonica Caused by Protomyces macrosporus in Arkansas. R. A. Valverde, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville 72701. G. E. Templeton, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville 72701. Plant Dis. 68:716-717. Accepted for publication 9 April 1984. Copyright 1984 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-68-716.

A leaf gall disease of the cool-season umbelliferous weed, hedge parsley (Torilis japonica), was found in northwestern Arkansas during surveys for weed pathogens that might be developed as biological herbicides. The causal fungus is Protomyces macrosporus, which is common in Europe, South Asia, and North Africa on many genera in the Umbelliferae. Galls on leaves or stems were cream to golden with swellings 1 mm wide and high and up to 3 mm long. Germination of the resting cells, growth of yeastlike endospores (ascospores) in pure culture, and disease development from controlled inoculation were demonstrated. P. macrosporus caused galls on T. japonica and Anethum graveolens but not on 10 other species of Umbelliferae.