First Report of <i>Gliocephalotrichum bulbilium</i> Causing Postharvest Fruit Rot of Rose Apple in Indonesia

ABSTRACT Postharvest rose apple ( Syzygium samarangense ) in South Tangerang, Indonesia, experienced fungal infection, causing fruit rot with an incidence rate of 23.5% among 51 sampled fruits in September 2025. Morphological examination revealed that the fungus produced erect, septate conidiophores with stripe extensions, penicillate conidiogenous apparatus, unicellular oval conidia and predominantly multicellular chlamydospores. Molecular identification using ITS and EF‐α showed high identity with Gliocephalotrichum bulbilium . The pathogenicity assay demonstrated the development of severe rotting symptoms after 5 days of incubation, highlighting the virulence nature of this fungus. This study represents the first report of G. bulbilium causing fruit rot of rose apples in Indonesia, emphasising the urgent need for systematic monitoring and enhanced postharvest management to prevent reductions in fruit quality and economic losses.