Molecular identification of leaf spot-like pathogens infecting apples of soe cultivar in Timor Island

Apples of the Soe cultivar are a major horticultural crop on Timor Island, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. However, their cultivation and productivity are significantly hindered by leaf spot disease. This disease causes severe damage to trees, impairing their ability to photosynthesize and consequently reducing fruit production. Various training initiatives have been implemented to improve fungal pest control in apple cultivation, yet expected results have not been achieved, largely because the specific pathogen had not been identified. Therefore, in the current study, leaf samples showing leaf spot symptoms were collected from apple orchards in five villages of Timor Island: Pubasu, Tunua, Tubuhue, Tobu, and Binaus. The samples underwent DNA extraction, followed by amplification through PCR. The amplified DNA was sequenced and analyzed using BLAST to identify the exact pathogen species. Molecular analysis revealed three primary pathogens responsible for leaf spot in the Soe apple cultivar: Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, and Fusarium solani. The study provided molecular identification and characterization of the major pathogens causing leaf spot in Soe apples on Timor Island. Identifying these pathogens lays the groundwork for developing more targeted and effective disease management strategies, empowering farmers to better manage and potentially eradicate this disease.