Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: In Poland, the first description of the causal agent of the valdensia leaf blight fungus Valdensinia heterodoxa was on highbush blueberry in 2011. Our study identified this pathogen in highbush blueberry plantations and on bilberry plants to describe its biology, molecular characteristics, and disease epidemiology. The 115 fungus isolates yielded were divided into 2 groups based on the colony morphology differences on PDA (potato dextrose agar) medium. For the isolates from each group, morphology and growth dynamics were studied on PDA and WOA (weak oatmeal agar) with added highbush blueberry/bilberry/lily of the valley leaf decoction under different light and temperature conditions. The isolates’ colony morphology differences were noted depending on the medium type. The best isolate growth was at 20 °C/19 °C-day, 12 °C-night, with a 12-hour photoperiod. Isolate identification using PCR showed nearly 100% nucleotide sequence similarity to reference isolates. On infected leaves, the release height of conidia was 18 cm. The presented results are novel in Poland and have a broader-than-domestic significance.
Institutions: Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences Botanical Garden – Center for Biological Diversity Conservation in Powsin, Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute - National Research Institute, University of Life Sciences in Lublin
Language: English
Subfield: Cell Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4416168185