First Report of Phytophthora nicotianae on Salvia fruticosa and Reactions of Some Varieties

Abstract

Wilting and dieback symptoms were observed in Salvia fruticosa Mill (Anatolian sage) in commercial production fields in Antalya province in Türkiye in 2021. When the infected areas were examined, symptoms of root and crown root rot, yellowing, wilting, curling of the leaves, besides complete wilting and dieback of plants in severe infections were observed. Isolations were performed from root and crown root of infected plants using selective mediums, and were identified based on cultural and morphological features and rDNA sequences of ITS region. As a result of isolations and identification studies, it was determined that the causative agent of the disease was Phytophthora nicotianae. Pathogenicity of P. nicotianae was tested by soil inoculation on Salvia fruticosa seedlings. Two months after inoculation, yellowing of leaves, general wilting, shortening of hairy roots, serious reductions in root density and death of some plants were detected in plants in this study. As a result of variety reaction studies, significant root density and weight loss were observed in Turgut and Karik varieties. Root density and weight loss were less in Uysal than in the other varieties. This study is the first record that P. nicotianae causes disease in Salvia fruticosa.