Genus Cercospora In Thailand: Taxonomy And Phylogeny (With A Dichotomous Key To Species)

Cercospora Fresen. is one of the most importance genera of plant pathogenic fungi in agriculture and is commonly associated with leaf spots. The genus is a destructive plant pathogen and a major agent of crop losses worldwide as it is nearly universally pathogenic, occurring on a wide range of hosts in almost all major families of dicotyledonous, most monocotyledonous families, some gymnosperms and ferns. The information regarding Cercospora leaf spots in Thailand is scattered and mainly based on Chupp’s generic concepts. Therefore, this paper provides an update that includes synonyms, morphological descriptions, illustrations, host range, geographical distribution and literature related to the species. This will benefit mycologists, plant pathologists and quarantine officials who need to study this group of fungi. The present study represents a compilation of 52 species of Cercospora s. str. associated with 29 families of host plants collected from several provinces in Thailand between 2004 and 2008. Twenty-four species represent C. apiis. lat. Plant families of Asteraceae, Amaranthaceae, Convolvulaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae and Solanaceae, are commonly found infected with Cercospora s. str.Three species, Cercospora are cacearum, C. habenariicola and C. neobougainvilleae, have been validity published as new species from Thailand. Plant Pathology dan Quarantine Vol. 1. P: 11–87.