Identification of the causative agents of brown rot on stone fruit plants

Brown rot is caused by species of pathogenic fungi from the genus Monilinia, including M. fructicola, M. fructigena, M. laxa, and M. polystroma, M. aucupariae, M. vaccinii – corymbose. The pathogens infect pome fruits (such as apples and pears) and stone fruits (such as cherries, plums, sour cherries, apricots, nectarines, and others). In orchards, the fungus can affect blossoms, leaves, and annual shoots, with fruits being the most vulnerable. Initially, brown rot appears as a small, circular, slightly sunken spot and over time, it spreads covering the entire fruit. Studies indicate that brown rot can lead to losses of up to 90% of the harvest in some regions. M. laxa and M. fructigena are widespread in Europe, M. polystroma is found in Japan and Poland, and M. fructicola is present in North America and Australia. M. vaccinii – corymbose is widely distributed across North America and is considered one of the most serious diseases affecting blueberries. M. aucupariae is a fungal pathogen primarily affecting hawthorn fruits. The aim of an investigation is to identify primers for accurately distinguishing all six Monilinia species. In this study, the ITS sequences and DNA sequences of hypothetically pathogenesis – related proteins of Monilinia spp. were analysed and primers were generated using ClustalX2 and Primer3Plus programs. For primers effectiveness analysis, fruits from stone and pome fruit plants showing signs of brown rot were collected at the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry orchards. DNA was extracted and Monilinia spp. pathogen species were identified through a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) method. Generated primers enable to distinguish Monilinia spp. through a single multiplex polymerase chain reaction.