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First Report of Fruit Scab Caused by Alternaria alternata on Actinidia chinensis in Korea

  • 0Suncheon National University College of Life Science and Natural Resources, Plant Medicine, 255-Jungang-ro, Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, Korea (the Republic of); cbc6976@gmail.com.
Plant Disease +

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July 3, 2024

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July 3, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

A new fruit scab disease caused by Alternaria alternata was identified in Korean kiwi orchards. This finding is crucial for developing effective detection and control strategies for kiwi scab in the region.

Area Of Science

  • Plant Pathology
  • Mycology
  • Horticulture

Background

  • Kiwi (Actinidia chinensis) is a significant crop in Korea, facing economic losses due to fruit diseases.
  • Fruit scab symptoms, characterized by superficial lesions, were observed on over 75% of 20-year-old kiwi trees in Suncheon, Korea, in 2020, reducing marketability.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To identify the causal pathogen of the observed fruit scab disease on kiwi in Korea.
  • To confirm the pathogenicity of the isolated fungus and provide molecular and morphological evidence for its identification.

Main Methods

  • Fungal isolation from symptomatic kiwi fruit lesions on potato dextrose agar (PDA).
  • Morphological characterization of conidia and molecular identification using ITS, gapdh, tef1, rpb2, Alt a1, endoPG, and OPA10-2 gene sequences.
  • Pathogenicity tests on wounded and unwounded kiwifruits to fulfill Koch's postulates.

Main Results

  • Fourteen fungal isolates were obtained, exhibiting morphological characteristics consistent with Alternaria spp.
  • Molecular analysis confirmed the isolates as Alternaria alternata, with high sequence identity to the type strain.
  • Pathogenicity tests successfully reproduced scab symptoms on inoculated kiwifruits, both wounded and unwounded, with the pathogen re-isolated from lesions.

Conclusions

  • Alternaria alternata is identified as the causal agent of fruit scab on kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis var. rufopulpa) in Korea.
  • This study represents the first report of this specific kiwi scab disease in Korea, necessitating further research for management strategies.
  • The findings will aid in the future detection and control of Alternaria alternata-induced fruit scab in Korean kiwi cultivation.

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