During the late summer of 2016, a pattern of infection spots were observed in different varieties of Prunus armeniaca (Apricot) and Prunus persica (Peaches) in different locations in India. The disease led to a decline in the fruit production by almost 30% in the region. Symptomatologically, the dark brown leaf spots were hologenous, scattered over the entire surface, rounded to irregular, enlarging and coalescing, which resulted in premature defoliation. Both phenotypic & genotypic observations were carried out by double beam Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) rDNA sequencing, respectively. To our knowledge it is the first report of this disease from India and solid containment measures should be imposed to restrict its spread throughout the natural range of these ecologically, economically and historically precious hosts.
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