First report of Stempylium eturmiunum from garlic (Allium sativum L) growing areas of Türkiye

Garlic ( Allium sativum L.) is an important species of the Amaryllidaceae family and is widely cultivated worldwide. The yield and quality of garlic production decrease due to pests and fungal agents. Survey studies conducted in Gaziantep (Araban and Oğuzeli districts) and Kahramanmaraş (Narlı district) garlic-growing areas between March and April 2020–2022 we observed white spots followed by dark green to black spore beds. Toward the end of May, yellowing and death of garlic plants occurred in severely infected fields. Symptomatic leaf samples were collected from 15 different garlic fields for pathogen isolation, with disease incidence around 90 %. A total of 39 Stemphylium spp. isolates were recovered, and their pathogenicity , morphology, and phylogeny were investigated. Based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), RNA polymerase II subunit beta (RPB2), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) regions, two isolates were identified as S. eturmiunum , a significant garlic pathogen causing serious yield losses worldwide. This is the first report of S. eturmiunum infecting garlic from Türkiye. • Stemphylium eturmiunum was identified for the first time in garlic fields in Türkiye. • Disease outbreaks were recorded in garlic fields of Türkiye. A prevalence rate of 90% indicates the epidemic potential of the pathogen. • The data obtained may contribute to integrated disease management of garlic.