Occurrence of purslane leaf spot caused by Dichotomophthora lutea in Iran

Abstract

Since 2015, a leaf disease showing necrotic, oval to irregular, pale brown spots with darker border had been observed on purslane in Khuzestan province, Iran. Symptomatic plants were collected and conducted to laboratory where five isolates were obtained. Based on a phylogenetic analyses using ITS and rpb2 regions, in combination with morphological characterization, the pathogen was identified as Dichotomophthora lutea. Pathogenicity of this fungus was confirmed by the inoculation of health leaves of purslane. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this pathogen on purslane in Iran.