Thyrostroma carpophilum, a causal agent of shot hole of stone fruits was isolated from the leaves of different stone fruit trees (Peach, Plum, Apricot, Cherry and Almond) collected from various locations of district Srinagar and Anantnag. Twenty isolates were collected and their pathogenicity was proved. Significant variation in cultural characteristics such as colony texture, colour and shape was found among the isolates. Two isolates showed different growth pattern. Isolate TC-H6 showed fluffy with olivaceous green and TC-R16 showed velvety growth pattern. Incubation period was found maximum in case of peach (7 days) and minimum in case of apricot (2 days) when the isolates were inoculated on their respective hosts. Cross infectivity tests of different isolates was carried out by cross inoculation of isolates. The isolates obtained from the peach host (TC-S1, TC-H1, TC-K1 and TC-R1) were able to infect plum and apricot while as the isolates from plum (TC-S3, TC-H3, TC-K3 and TC-R3) were able to infect cherry. The isolates derived from cherry were able to infect apricot. However, isolates from apricot and almond did not show any cross infectivity when tested on other stone fruit hosts. The above results revealed that Thyrostroma carpophilum is highly diverse pathogen with wide host range and thus has ability to infect other trees of same family. Thus, Thyrostroma carpophilum has potential to overcome management strategies very rapidly.

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