First Report of Alternaria Alternata Causing Brown Leaf Spot on Apricot (Prunus Armeniaca) in Karbala Province of Iraq

Abstract

Abstract During a survey in season 018, leaf spot symptoms were commonly observed on apricot (Prunus armeniaca) trees in the orchards of Al-Hussainiya district in Karbala Province of Iraq. The symptomatic leaves were gathered, the associated fungus was isolated and characterized relied on its morphological features and ITS-rDNA sequencing. The causative factor was found to be the fungus Alternaria alternata that caused distinguishable leaf spot symptoms on the inoculated leaves of apricot. Based on a review of previous references relatedof this disease in Iraq, this is the first report of the brown leaf spot disease caused by A. alternata in Karbala province of Iraq.