Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
PhD Student, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz
2
Associate Professor and Professor,respectively,Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz.
3
Professor,respectively,Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz.
4
Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Maragheh
Abstract
Several species of the genus Aspergillus including Aspergillus niger and its segregates are involved in bunch rots of grapevine as well as contamination of grapevine products worldwide. These fungal agents reduce both yield and quality of grape and its products by damaging and destroying the berries and the production and accumulation of ochratoxin A. This study was carried out in 2011 and 2012 in order to characterize black aspergilli species on grape and raisin in southern regions of East and West Azerbaijan provinces including Azarshar, Bonab, Ajabshir, Maragheh, Malekan and Miyandoab counties. The isolation and purification of fungal isolates was performed with commonly used methods in plant pathology. A total number of 167 Aspergillus isolates were recovered from 231 grape and raisin samples. Based on morphological characteristics, all of the isolates were identified as members of A. niger species complex. Sequence data for the β- tubulin gene were generated for the representative isolates for each geographical region. Based on the sequence data from β- tubulin gene, the identity of the isolates was determined as A. tubingensis (94%), A. niger (3.6%), A. welwitschiae (1.2%)and A. uvarum (1.2%). This study provides the first report on the occurrence of A. uvarum on grape from Iran and first report on the occurrence A. welwitschiae on grape in the world. With the identification of Aspergilllus spp. occurring of grapevines and its products in this region, it will be possible to further actions in monitoring the production and accumulation of ochratoxin A in grape vines products.
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