First report of Alternaria mali in Yugoslavia
Between 1993 and 1995, a species of Alternaria was isolated from leaf spots on Red Delicious apples collected from seven locations in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Symptoms observed were characterized by circular leaf spots, tan to brown, 2 to 5 mm in diameter and often surrounded by a purple halo. Severely affected leaves fall, and up to 50 % defoliation was observed in some orchards. The fungus was identified as Alternaria mali (EU Annex II/A1) based on conidial morphology; Koch's postulates were completed. In laboratory studies, symptoms similar to those observed in orchards could be reproduced on leaves of Red Delicious and Mollie's Delicious by inoculation of a conidial suspension. Golden Delicious, Idared and Jonagold appeared to be resistant. This is the first report of A. mali in Yugoslavia. According to the authors, this fungus has been reported from Japan, China, Korea, and USA (North Carolina - see EPPO RS 96/128 for complete distribution list). This is the first report of A. mali in Europe.
Sources
Bulajic, A.; Filajdic, N.; Babovic, M.; Sutton, T.B. (1996) First report of Alternaria mali on apples in Yugoslavia.
Plant Disease, 80(6), p709.