Alternaria alternata causes leaf blight of rosy periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) in Iraq

Abstract

Nursery-grown rosy periwinkles (Catharanthus roseus) in Kerbala province, Iraq, showed severe symptoms of leaf blight. The causal agent associated with the diseased plants was identified as the fungus Alternaria alternata. This identification was based on the pathogen’s morphological, molecular and pathogenic characteristics. To the best of the author’s knowledge, leaf blight of rosy periwinkle caused by A. alternata is the first record in Iraq.