Species composition of lentil disease causes in the forest-steppe zone

Abstract

Aim. The research aimed to assess fungal infection of lentil seeds and to identify the most common diseases of this crop, which was grown by organic agricultural enterprises in the forest-steppe zone of the Poltava region. Identification of the species composition of disease-causing agents will enable the development of protective measures against certain diseases in the conditions of organic agriculture. Methods. In recent years, the area under lentil cultivation in our country reaches 20,000 hectares [1]. According to forecasts of «UkrAgroConsult», in the 2022–2023 season, there will be a significant reduction in the production of lentils and chickpeas, because the main areas of cultivation of these crops are in the south of Ukraine [2]. Results. Lentil diseases can cause a significant reduction in yield and quality. Most major economically important diseases are found in all lentil-growing regions. The species composition of the mycobiota and the infectious load are essential factors that determine the quality of grain and the susceptibility of plants to diseases in the field. Field, phytopathological, and mycological methods were used in the research process. Over the years of research, it was found that plants are most affected by diseases in the flowering phase, especially after heavy rains. Conclusions. Mycological analysis of contamination of lentil seeds revealed the presence of different types of fungi in the mycobiota: Penicillium, Mucor, Trichothecium, Fusarium, Alterneria. Representatives of penicillous, mucoral fungi, and Trichothecium roseum were the most common among those detected. As a result of the studies conducted in 2017-2018 on the identification of the species composition of fungi on the Linza lentil variety, 8 isolates of fungi were isolated and identified from 556 pure culture samples: Fusarium oxysporum f. ciceri Schlecht, F. culmorum Sacc., F. avenaceum Sacc., Alterneria alternata (Fr.) Keissl, Pythium ultimum, Stemphylium botryosum, Rhizoctonia solani, Ascochyta lentis. The dominant species parasitizing lentils on all parts of the plant was Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.lentis.