Sixteen isolates of C. musae were collected from different banana growing areas of Tamil Nadu and
their pathogenicity was proved under laboratory conditions. Effect of different pH levels, temperature, light
intensity and media were tested against the growth of C. musae under in vitro. Results indicated that the
growth of C. musae was maximum at pH range of 6.50-7.00 and temperature range of 25-30°C. Exposure of the
fungus to alternate cycles of 12 hr light and 12 hr darkness resulted in the maximum mycelial growth of C. musae
compared to the 24 hr exposure to either continuous light or dark. Among the different media tested, Potato
dextrose agar medium supported significantly the maximum growth of all the sixteen isolates of C. musae.
Further, the strains were found to vary morphologically between the isolates under the study.