Identification and differentiation of Ascochyta complex fungi from field pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Abstract

Ascochyta pisi, Dydimella pinodes and Dydimella pinodella are three worldwide-distributed fungal pathogens of pea that occur singly or in combination and are sometimes referred to as the Ascochyta complex. They are among the most prevalent and damaging pathogens of legumes worldwide and their identification is currently based on symptoms and morphology. Since the identification based on these criteria remains difficult and uncertain, the aims of this study were to identify the pea-associated Ascochyta species and estimate their molecular phylogenies, through two main approaches: (i) using sequence data from the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) and elongation factor 1-alpha (EF); and (ii) using specific PCR-based marker (IGS1). Eighty nine isolates assumed to be A. pisi, D. pinodes and D. pinodella of diverse geographical origins were used.