First report of Neopestalotiopsis rosae causing leaf spot and crown rot of strawberry in Turkey

Abstract

In June 2021, leaf spot and crown rot symptoms were observed on approximately 4% of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) plants surveyed in a 6 decares field in Mersin province (36°22’27.1"N 34°00’25.8"E), Turkey. Symptoms included wilting, necrotic lesions with black acervuli on leaves, dark-brown necrosis on stolons and fruits, root rot and crown rot. The crown and stolon tissues from symptomatic 10 plants were surface sterilized in 1% sodium hypochlorite for 2 min, placed onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at 24 °C. Fungal colonies from all samples produced white cottony mycelium with abundant black acervuli distributed in concentric rings 10 days after planting. Conidia were fusiform to ellipsoid, 4-septate, average 24.1×7.3 μm (n=30) in size. The basal cell was hyaline, thin-walled, 4–6 μm long, conic to obconic with a truncate base, and with a short oblique appendage.