New data of host range of Peronospora belbahrii, causal agent of basil downy mildew
In Israel, inoculation studies were conducted on 102 plant species and cultivars to assess the host range of Peronospora belbahrii within the Lamiaceae family. Of the 22 genera tested in the growth chambers and in the field, sporulation occurred in plants belonging to the following six genera: Ocimum, Salvia, Rosmarinus (now synonymized with Salvia), Nepeta, Agastache, and Micromeria. Restricted lesions with no sporulation occurred in plants belonging to four genera: Lamium, Mentha, Majorana, and Salvia. Plants of all other genera showed no symptoms.
This is the first report on the susceptibility of Salvia eigii, S. fruticosa, and S. pinnata as well as rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), white leaved savory (Micromeria fruticosa), and Syrian catnip (Nepeta curviflora) to downy mildew caused by P. belbahrii in Israel. However further studies should be conducted to assess if natural infection is possible.
Sources
Naim YB, Falach-Block L, Ben-Daniel B-H, Cohen Y (2019) Host range of Peronospora belbahrii, causal agent of basil downy mildew, in Israel. European Journal of Plant Pathology 155(3), 789–799. doi:10.1007/s10658-019-01809-9