Identification of mycopopulation on American highbush blueberry in Serbia
Abstract
In recent decades, the American highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) has gained an
increasingly important place in the fruit production of several countries around the world,
especially in the highly developed ones. Also, there is a growing interest of berry fruit producers
from Serbia in growing highbush blueberry plantations. Currently, in Serbia, highbush
blueberries are grown on an area of about 2,500 ha with a tendency to increase production.
Blueberries are attacked by numerous diseases that can cause greater economic damage, and in
exceptional cases lead to the decline of entire orchards. There have been no systematic studies of
blueberry mycopopulation in Serbia so far. In this study, we present the results of preliminary
research on the mycopopulation of blueberries originating from Serbia. Samples were collected
in the period June-August 2020. A total of 18 samples from five sites were analyzed (Ivanjica 3,
Čačak 3, Sopot 3, Bačka Topola 6 and Zlatibor 3). T...he developed mycelium was placed on a
new PDA medium and, after the initial growth, the top part of the mycelium was placed again on
PDA. Microscopic examination was performed using an Olympus CX31 microscope.
Morphological identification of fungi by genus was performed using standard keys. A total of
350 plant parts were examined from which 8 genera of fungi were isolated: Fusarium,
Phomopsis (Diaporthe), Alternaria, Epicoccum, Penicillium, Ulocladium, Trichoderma and
Pestalotiopsis. Macroscopic symptoms of infection were clearly visible on the plants from which
the fungi were isolated. Given the growing importance of blueberries as a berry fruit species, the
aim of this study is to determine fungi, potential pathogens of blueberries, in order to better
understand the problems (plant dieback, yield reduction, etc.) that arise as a result of fungal
presence on blueberries.
Keywords:
blueberry / fungal diseases / isolation / SerbiaSource:
Proceedings : XII International Scientific Agriculture Symposium "AGROSYM 2021", Jahorina, October 07-10, 2021, 2021, 577-582Publisher:
- East Sarajevo : University of East Sarajevo, Faculty of Agriculture