Eggplant (Solanum melongena) is one of the most economically important vegetable crops cultivated and consumed globally. It is predominantly produced in Asia (94%) (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2020)). Eggplant production is highly profitable and a ready source of income for small, resourcepoor farmers (Francisco et al., 2012). Eggplant is the most produced vegetable (by volume) in the Philippines, accounting for more than 30% of the country's total vegetable production (PSA (2020)).However, plant pathogens hamper its production by damaging the leaves, stems and roots, thus affecting its marketable fruit yield. The damage can range from 50% to 90% or eventually destroy the whole crop (Palo, 1938), resulting in losses.There are more than 30 pathogens associated with eggplant diseases (Tangonan, 1999), including those causing fruit rots, for example Colletotrichum gloeosporioides f. melongenae (Colletotrichum
Powdery mildew was observed on 20 genotypes of Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis (yardlong beans) and 33 genotypes of V. radiata (mungbean) in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. Powdery mildew was collected and then subjected to molecular characterization to identify the species associated with the disease. Based on combined microscopic observations and molecular identification, the species causing powdery mildew to yardlong bean and mungbean was Podosphaera xanthii (Castagne) U. Braun & S. Takam. 2000 (Bas.: Erysiphe xanthii 1845). None of the yardlong beans and mungbean genotypes were resistant to powdery mildew, with disease incidence reaching up to 100% and with fungal colonies present on plant vines and both sides of leaves. This is the first report of powdery mildew disease caused by P. xanthii on yardlong bean and mungbean in the country. Both legume plant species are important food crops in the Philippines. The information from this study will be valuable in formulating other disease management approaches. The lack of resistant plants warrants further screening in legume germplasm collection to identify sources of resistance or tolerance.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.