Didymella gigantis sp. nov. Causing Leaf Spot in Korean Angelica

During a disease survey in October 2019, leaf spot symptoms with a yellow halo were observed on Korean angelica (Anglica gigas) plants grown in fields in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, Korea. Incidence of diseased leaves of the plants in the investigated fields ranged from 10% to 60%. Morphological and cultural characteristics of two single-spore isolates from the leaf lesions indicated that they belonged to the genus Didymella. Molecular phylogenetic analyses using combined sequences of LSU, ITS, TUB2, and RPB2 regions showed distinct clustering of the isolates from other Didymella species. In addition, the morphological and cultural characteristics of the isolates were somewhat different from those of closely related Didymella spp. Therefore, the novelty of the isolates was proved based on the investigations. Pathogenicity of the novel Didymella species isolates was confirmed on leaves of Korean angelica plants via artificial inoculation. This study reveals that Didymella gigantis sp. nov.causes leaf spot in Korean angelica.

Didymella acutilobae sp. nov. Causing Leaf Spot and Stem Rot in Angelica acutiloba

During disease surveys of Angelica acutiloba plants in Korea, leaf spot symptoms were observed in a field in Andong in July 2019, and stem rot symptoms in vinyl greenhouses in Yangpyeong in April 2020. Incidence of leaf spot and stem rot of the plants ranged from 10 to 20% and 5 to 30%, respectively. Morphological and cultural characteristics of fungal iso lates from the leaf spot and stem rot symptoms fitted into those of the genus Phoma.Molecular phylogenetic analyses of two single-spore isolates from the symptoms using con catenated sequences of LSU, ITS, TUB2, and RPB2 genes authenticated an independent clus ter from other Didymella (anamorph: Phoma) species. Moreover, the isolates showed different morphological and cultural characteristics in comparison to closely related Didymella species. These discoveries confirmed the novelty of the isolates. Pathogenicity of the novel Didymella species isolates was substantiated on leaves and stems of A. acutiloba through artificial inocu lation. Thus, this study reveals that Didymella acutilobae sp. nov. causes leaf spot and stem rot in Angelica acutiloba.

Occurrence of Internal Stipe Necrosis of Cultivated Mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) Caused by Ewingella americana in Korea

The internal stipe necrosis of cultivated mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) is caused by the bacterium Ewingella americana, a species of the Enterobacteriaceae. Recently, Ewingella americana was isolated from cultivated white button mushrooms in Korea evidencing symptoms of internal stipe browning. Its symptoms are visible only at harvest, and appear as a variable browning reaction in the center of the stipes. From these lesions, we isolated one bacterial strain (designated CH4). Inoculation of the bacterial isolate into mushroom sporocarps yielded the characteristic browning symptoms that were distinguishable from those of the bacterial soft rot that is well known to mushroom growers. The results of Gram stain, flagellal staining, and biochemical tests identified these isolates as E. americana. This was verified by pathogenicity, physiological and biochemical characteristics, and the results of an analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences and the fatty acids profile. This is the first report of the isolation of E. americana from cultivated white button mushrooms in Korea.

Occurrence of Narcissus Smoulder Caused by Botrytis narcissicola in Korea

Leaf blight and bulb rot symptoms were observed on narcissus plants grown in Yongin, Cheongwon and Namhae areas in Korea during disease survey from 1999 to 2002. A total of 15 isolates of Botrytis sp. were obtained from the infected plant parts of narcissus. All the isolates were identified as Botrytis narcissicola based on their morphological and cultural characteristics. Three isolates of B. narcissicola were tested for their pathogenicity to leaves and bulbs of narcissus by artificial inoculation. All the isolates induced leaf blight and bulb rot symptoms on the plants of narcissus by artificial inoculation. The symptoms induced by artificial inoculation were similar to those observed in the fields. This is the first report of narcissus smoulder caused by B. narcissicola in Korea.

Two Species of Myxomycetes Causing Slime Mold of Sweet Potato

Specimens collected from sweet potato plants with slime mold symptoms in fields in Daejeon, Korea were examined. Two species of Myxomycetes, Fuligo septica and Stemonitis herbatica were identified based on their morphological characteristics. This is the first report that the two species of Myxomycetes cause slime mold of sweet potato in Korea.

Occurrence of Sclerotinia Rot in Solanaceous Crops Caused by Sclerotinia spp

Solanaceous crops grown in greenhouses and fields in Korea were surveyed from 1994 to 2000. Sclerotinia rot most severely occurred up to 60% in potato. Incidence of the disease was as high as 20% at its maximum in tomato and 5% in eggplant, but as low as less than 1% in red pepper. Symptoms of Sclerotinia rot commonly developed on stems of the solanaceous crops but rarely on fruits of eggplant and tomato. A total of 169 isolates of Sclerotinia species was obtained from the diseased solanaceous crops. Out of the isolates, 165 isolates were identified as S. sclerotiorum, and the others as S. minor based on their morphological and cultural characteristics. S. sclerotiorum was isolated from all the solanaceous crops, while S. minor was only isolated from tomato. Eight isolates of S. sclerotiorum and two isolates of S. minor were tested for their pathogenicity to the solanaceous crops by artificial inoculation. All the isolates of the two Sclerotinia spp. induced rot symptoms on stems of the solanaceous crops tested, which were similar to those observed in the fields. The pathogenicity tests revealed that there was no significant difference in the susceptibility of the solanaceous crops to the isolates of S. sclerotiorum. However, in case of S. minor, the potato cultivar Sumi was relatively less susceptible to the pathogen.

Anthracnose of May Lily Caused by Colletotrichum liliacearum

Anthracnose symptoms severely occurred up to 100% on leaves of May lily grown in four locations in Korea during a disease survey in 2001. The symptoms appeared as circular to irregular spots with brown to dark brown discoloration on leaves of the plant, and severely infected leaves blighted. A total of 35 isolates of Colletotrichum sp. was obtained from the spotted lesions and identified as Colletotrichum liliacearum based on the morphological and cultural characteristics. Leaf spots similar to the original anthracnose symptoms were induced on the host leaves by artificial inoculation with the isolates of the fungus. This is the first report that C. liliacearum causes anthracnose of May lily.

Occurrence of Sclerotinia Rot on Composite Vegetable Crops and the Causal Sclerotinia spp

Composite vegetable crops grown in greenhouses and open fields in Korea were surveyed from 1995 to 1999. Occurrence of Sclerotinia rot was observed in 123 of 277 lettuce fields, in 11 of 18 head lettuce fields, in 12 of 14 endive fields, and in 4 of 38 garland chrysanthemum fields surveyed during the growing seasons. The disease most severely occurred up to 80% on lettuce. Incidence of the disease was as high as 20% at its maximum on endive and garland chrysanthemum but relatively low on head lettuce. Symptoms of the disease developed on leaves of all the composites, crowns of lettuce and head lettuce, and stems of garland chrysanthemum. Out of 240 isolates of Sclerotinia species obtained from the diseased composites, 169 isolates were identified as Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and the others as S. minor based on their morphological and cultural characteristics. S. sclerotiorum was isolated from all the composites, and S. minor only from lettuce and endive. Eight isolates of S. sclerotiorum and four isolates of S. minor were tested for their pathogenicity to the composites by artificial inoculation. All the isolates of the two Sclerotinia spp. induced rot symptoms on the plants of the composites by artificial inoculation, which were similar to those observed in the fields. The pathogenicity tests revealed that there is no significant difference in virulence of the isolates to the composites and in susceptibility of the composites to the isolates.

Occurrence of Anthracnose on English Ivy Caused by Colletotrichum trichellum in Korea

Anthracnose symptoms severely occurred up to 50% on leaves of English ivy growing in greenhouses in Cheongwon area of Korea during disease survey in April, 2000. The symptoms developed as concentric spots with dot-like acervuli on leaves of the plant. A total of 24 isolates of Colletotrichum sp. were obtained from the spotted lesions and identified as Colletotrichum trichellum based on the morphological and cultural characteristics. Leaf spots similar to the original anthracnose symptoms were induced on the host leaves by artificial inoculation with the isolates of the fungus. This is the first record of C. trichellum causing anthracnose of English ivy in Korea.