Z.L. Hameed1,2* and B.T. Mohammed1
(1) Biology Department, College of Education for Pure Sciences, University of Kerbala, Karbala, Iraq; (2) Field Crops Department, Agriculture College, University of Kerbala, Karbala, Iraq
*Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected]
Alternaria alternata is well-known as a causal agent of various plant diseases worldwide. However, the species distribution causing the failure of wheat seed germination in Iraq has not been studied. During a field survey, one hundred seventy-two Alternaria isolates were collected from 69 wheat fields in Karbala province, Iraq in 2022-2023. Based on morphological features and sequence analysis of different genetic markers included the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), the DNA-directed RNA polymerase I (RPB1) and DNA-directed RNA polymerase II (RPB 2), the translation elongation factor (TEF) gene, and the beta-tubulin gene (β-tubulin) were determined. The majority of the Alternaria isolates obtained were recognized as A. alternata. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of A. alternata as the leading cause of seed decay and damping-off of wheat crop in Karbala province of Iraq.
Alternaria alternata, morphology, wheat, pathogenicity, phylogeny
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001417