Myrothecium Leaf Spot of Mulberry Caused by Myrothecium roridum Tode: Fries

Abstract

A new leaf spot disease of mulberry (Morus alba and M. bombycis) caused by a species of Myrothecium broke out in Kagoshima Prefecture in 1991 and 1992. Inoculation tests confirmed that the causal fungus was pathogenic to 133 species of plants belonging to 96 genera of 45 families. Symptoms were various, depending on plant species, and included necrotic lesions, stem canker or damping-off. Based on morphological, cultural and pathological characters, the causal fungus was identified as Myrothecium roridum Tode: Fries.