Pathogenicity of Pythium aphanidermatum on Sugarcane: First Record from Iran

Articles in Press

Document Type : Short Article

Authors

1 Department of Plant Protection, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

2 Plant Protection Research Department, Fars Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Shiraz, Iran

3 Department of Plant Protection, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

Abstract

Sugarcane is one of the most important industrial crops in Iran, particularly in Khuzestan Province, where soilborne pathogens can threaten crop establishment and productivity. During surveys of sugarcane fields in Khuzestan, plants showing severe root rot, yellowing, and stunting were collected along with samples of rhizosphere soil and irrigation water samples. In total, 526 oomycete isolates were obtained using CMA-PARP selective medium, of which 11 isolates were identified as Pythium aphanidermatum based on morphological characteristics, including filamentous inflated sporangia, globose smooth oogonia, aplerotic oospores, and intercalary antheridia. Molecular identification of a representative isolate was carried out using sequence data from the ITS region and the cox1 gene. Phylogenetic analyses showed that this isolate belongs to Clade A of Pythium sensu stricto and groups with reference isolates of P. aphanidermatum with strong support. Pathogenicity tests demonstrated that this species caused severe root rot, yellowing, stunting, and wilting on sugarcane four weeks after inoculation, reproducing symptoms similar to those observed in the field. This study reports the first confirmed occurrence of P. aphanidermatum causing sugarcane root rot in Iran. The detection of this aggressive oomycete in sugarcane fields of Khuzestan highlights the need for continuous monitoring and integrated management of soilborne diseases in Iranian sugarcane production systems.

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References

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Mycologia Iranica

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 30 June 2026

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History

  • Receive Date: 14 June 2026
  • Revise Date: 25 June 2026
  • Accept Date: 29 June 2026
  • Publish Date: 30 June 2026

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