The first report of Curvularia senegalensis causing leaf and floral spots on Zinnia elegans in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Nursery-grown Zinnias (Zinnia elegans) in Peradeniya, Central Province, Sri Lanka showed necrotic, reddish-brown, circular to irregular-shaped, 1-2 mm diameter spots scattered over the leaves and ray florets which developed a whitish center with time. At the advanced stage, the necrotic spots merged, and the whole leaf/flower was infected. The fungus associated with the disease was identified as Curvularia senegalensis based on morphological and molecular data. Inoculated leaves produced necrotic symptoms and subsequent pathogen recovery was confirmed through Koch’s postulates. This study provides the first report of Curvularia senegalensis causing leaf and floral spots on Z. elegans in Sri Lanka.