First Report of Acrophialophora jodhpurensis Causing Root Rot and Seedling Damping-Off of Pepper (Capsicum annum L.) in Karbala Province, Iraq

Abstract

Pepper is an important vegetable crop in Iraq and worldwide. During a survey conducted in 2022 in Karbala Province, Iraq, an epidemic root rot disease affecting pepper plants was observed. Based on morphological appearances, pathogenicity assessment and rDNA-ITS sequence analyses, the fungal causing this disease was identified as Acrophialophora jodhpurensis (OQ102241.1). To best of our knowledge, this is the first record of A. jodhpurensis fungus causing root rot on pepper crop in Karbala, Iraq.