<em>Diplodia bulgarica</em>, as a new pathogen and potential threat to the apple industry in Iran

Abstract

Diplodia bulgarica has been recently identified on apple trees in Bulgaria and Iran. This fungus was isolated from apple trees in the west of Iran, showing canker, gummosis, dieback and twig blight symptoms. To determine its significance as a pathogen on apple, Koch’s postulates were fulfilled by stem inoculation of 2-year-old apple trees (cv. Golden Delicious) under greenhouse and field conditions. Results confirmed D. bulgarica as a highly virulent pathogen on apple under greenhouse and field conditions. This is the first record of D. bulgarica as a pathogen of apple, emphasizing the need to study biological and genetic aspects of this new pathogen.