Golovinomyces bolayi causes powdery mildew on Persian speedwell (Veronica persica) in Iran

Abstract

During October–November of 2017 and 2018, powdery fungal masses were observed on leaves of Persian speedwell (Veronica persica) on the campus of Tabriz University, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran. Infected leaves were collected and subjected to a taxonomic study. Based on morphological characteristics the fungus was identified as Golovinomyces orontii species complex. A phylogeny inferred based on ITS-rDNA sequence data clustered our isolate as Golovinomyces bolayi. Golovinomyces bolayi has recently been segregated from the Golovinomyces orontii species complex. Golovinomyces bolayi can be differentiated from other closely related species based on morphological characteristics of conidiophores and ITS-rDNA phylogeny. This is the first report of this species from Iran on Persian speedwell.