Abstract:
Objective To clarify the pathogen causing black spot disease on Lonicera japonica, and to provide a theoretical basis for effective prevention and control of this disease.
Method The strains of the pathogen were isolated by conventional tissue plate method, and were identified by the morphological characters and phylogenetic analysis of ITS, gpd and EF-1α sequences. Its pathogenicity was tested through in vitro inoculating healthy leaves of L. japonica and Solanum lycopersicum.
Result The isolated fungal strain YP4 morphologically formed greyish to yellowish white, cottony colonies on Potato Dextrose Agar, which were consistent with published descriptions of Stemphylium lycopersici. In the three phylogenetic trees based on ITS, gpd and EF-1α sequences, the isolate YP4 fell into the S. lycopersici clade with strong support. Based on the pathogenicity measurement of Koch's rule, the strain YP4 was pathogenic to leaves of L. japonica and S. lycopersicum.
Conclusion Combined with the morphological characteristics, the pathogenicity determination and phylogenetic analysis of ITS, gpd and EF-1α sequences, the pathogen causing black spot disease on honeysuckle is identified as S. lycopersici. To our knowledge, this is the first report of S. lycopersici causing black spot of L. japonica in China.