IDENTIFICATION OF FUNGAL PATHOGENS CAUSING LEAF SPOT DISEASE ON STRAWBERRY IN DA LAT

Abstract

Leaf spot disease caused by mold on plants, especially strawberry, causes mass economic losses in Vietnam and around the world. Therefore, isolating, and characterizing strains causing leaf spot disease is essential in order to protect our crops and agriculture because the country’s climatic conditions are very suitable for the development of fungal pathogens. In this study, four fungal strains were isolated from strawberry samples with leaf spot in Da Lat, Lam Dong province, Vietnam. Macroscopic and microscopic characterization in combination with ITS sequence analysis, showed that the mold strains MD1, MD4, MD7, MD11 are closely related to Pilidium concavum, Pilidium lythri, Mucor circinelloides, and Nigrospora sphaerica, respectively. Additionally, the pathogenicity of all these 4 fungal strains have been confirmed according to Koch's postulate. This is the first report of Mucor circinelloides and Nigrospora sphaerica causing leaf spot on strawberries, and this could provide the basis for effective management, prevention, and control measures in the future.