First report of charcoal rot caused by Macrophomina phaseolina on kiwifruit in Turkey

Abstract

During June and August in 2018, kiwifruit (cv. Hayward) plants exhibiting symptoms of charcoal rot including chlorosis, necrosis, leaf shedding, root rot, and trunk dry rot were observed with an incidence of up 5% in three commercial orchards located in Altınordu, Fatsa and Perşembe districts of Ordu province. After surface sterilization with 1% NaClO, small pieces excised from root tissues of diseased plants were rinsed twice in sterile distilled water, dried on sterile filter papers and aseptically transferred to plates containing potato dextrose agar. Ten isolates from the plates were identified as Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid.