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). The 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.