Molecular confirmation of Nothopassalora personata causing leaf spot of peanut in Iran

Abstract

Morphological and molecular studies confirmed Nothopassalora personata as the cercosporoid fungus causing leaf spot of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) in Iran. This is the first molecular evidence of N. personata in Iran (Asia), although it was previously reported as Passalora personata, Cercospora personata or Cercosporidium personatum based on morphological examinations. Molecular identification was done using sequence data of LSU, ITS and rpb2 loci of closely related taxa in the Bayesian analysis. Furthermore, parts of the actA, tef1, cmdA and his3 loci were sequenced for the first time for this species.