Phenotypic Variability and Genetic Diversity of the Pathogenic Fungus Macrophomina phaseolina from Several Hosts and Host Specialization in Strawberry.

Macrophomina phaseolina, is a pathogenic soil-borne fungus that affects more than 500 plant species, causing various types of disease to several crops, among which is the crown and root rot disease in strawberry. Its wide variability has been characterized reiteratively in the literature, but little is known about its virulence mechanisms. Morphological, physiological, genetic and phytopathogenic parameters were evaluated among 32 isolates of Macrophomina from different hosts occurring in Argentina and Spain.