Morpho-cultural, pathological and molecular variability in Phloeospora maculans causing leaf spot of mulberry (Morus species) in India.

Background: Leaf spot disease (LSD) of mulberry caused by Phloeospora maculans is a major threat to the silk industry of Jammu and Kashmir, India, therefore, it was necessary to study the population structure of the pathogen for successful management of the disease.

Methods And Results: To understand the diversity in the Phloeospora maculans, a combination of conventional (morphological, cultural and pathological) and molecular (ISSR markers) approaches were employed to discern the variability in 27 isolates collected from Srinagar, Bandipora, and Baramulla districts of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The studies revealed a high level of variability in the pathogen.