AIRBORNE AND FOLIAR FUNGAL FLORA OF VARIOUS STRAWBERRY VARIETIES GROWN IN GHARB- LOUKKOS (MOROCCO)

Abstract The objective of this study is to determine the fungal flora present in the air and on the foliar parts of strawberry plants, varieties Festival and Camarosa, cultivated in the Moulay Bouselham region (North-ouest Morocco), and to highlight the influence of microclimate on their development. Surveys were carried out on three farms under irrigated shelter, where microclimatic conditions, such as temperature and relative humidity, were measured and analysed. The results reveal significant fungal diversity, influenced by microclimatic conditions. In fact, variations in temperature and relative humidity have a significant influence on the distribution of fungal species. Botrytis cinerea reached high levels of contamination, with 8712.7 CFU/m² in MV1 and 8492.6 CFU/m² in GV1. Cladosporium cladosporioides was also very present, with values reaching 17,802.9 CFU/m² in SV3 and 10,788.7 CFU/m² in MV1, while Fusarium oxysporum showed a more limited presence, with values of 440.3 CFU/m² in GV2 and 377.4 CFU/m² in GV3. Temperatures were ranged from 17.44°C to 28.26°C, and relative humidity between 50.96% and 61.26%. These climatic conditions favoured fungal contamination. Botrytis cinerea was very present in the leaves of GV1 (90%) and MV1 (82%), while Podosphaera aphanis was dominant in MV3 (56%) and GV3 (56%). Cladosporium cladosporioides was strongly present in MV3 (49%) and SV2 (45%). These results highlight the importance of microclimate management and agricultural practices in reducing losses due to fungal diseases in strawberry cultivation.