New Record of Ganoderma colossum White Rot on Ficus bengalensis

Ganoderma colossum is a rare species of Ganodermataceae family with many biological and biochemical properties. It is associated with rot, wilt, dieback, and wood decay of many host plants such as Ficus carcica, Celtis laevigata, Pinus hondurensis, Callitris robusta, Eucalyptus citrodora, E. paniculata, E. puncata, and Phoenix canariensis. In Oman, this pathogen was isolated as new records from Delonix regia, Ficus altissima, Phoenix dactylifera (2005-206), Sclerocarya birrea (2013), and Ziziphus spina-christi (2014). In the present investigation, the fungus was detected as a white rot on the base and the upper parts of the trunk, and on the exposed root of Ficus bengalensis. Based on the morphological characteristics and microscopy of the specimens, the pathogen was identified and confirmed with the deposited herbarium materials and the available data. This is thought to be the first record of G. colossum white rot on F. bengalensis worldwide.