Molecular identification of some anamorphic powdery mildews (Erysiphales) in Guilan province, north of Iran

Abstract

In this study, ITS–rDNA region was used to identify some anamorphic powdery mildews in Guilan province. According to the results, <em>Erysiphe</em> species on <em>Vicia faba</em> and <em>Sesbania</em> <em>punicea</em> showed 100% similarity to each other, however, without ITS sequence of holotype of <em>E. sesbaniae</em> it is impossible to make conclusion whether <em>Vicia faba</em> powdery mildew fungus actually belongs to <em>E. sesbaniae</em> or <em>E. trifoliorum</em> complex. ITS sequence from isolate of <em>Lagerstroemia indica</em> powdery mildew showed 100% similarity to <em>E. australiana. Podosphaera</em> on <em>Vigna</em> fells into phylogenetic group containing <em>P. xanthii</em> on cucurbitaceous hosts. ITS sequence of chamomile (<em>Matricaria chamomilla</em>) powdery mildew fungus showed 100% similarity to <em>P. xanthii</em> on <em>Xanthium strumarium. </em>Molecular characteristics and morphological examination of conidia and conidia germination clearly showed that <em>Dahlia</em> powdery mildew in Guilan province is conspecific with <em>G. spadiceus</em>. Anamorph morphology and ITS sequence of <em>Podosphaera</em> on <em>Epilobium</em> and <em>Erysiphe</em> on <em>Platanus</em> <em>orientalis</em> showed that these species belong to <em>P. epilobii</em> and <em>Erysiphe platani </em>respectively<em>.</em>