First Report of Passiflora Root-rot of Passion Fruit Caused by Two Species of Globisporangium (Pythium) in Japan

Abstract

Passiflora root-rot of Passiflora edulis Sims. occurred on Hachijo Island of Tokyo Metropolis in 2012. Two species of Globisporangium (Pythium) isolated from the diseased plants were identified as G. splendens and G. irregurale based on morphological characteristics as well as molecular analyses of the rDNA-ITS region. Inoculation tests showed that these fungi were the causal agents of the disease. This is the first report of the disease in Japan.