First report of southern blight on showy rattlepod ( Crotalaria spectabilis ) caused by Athelia rolfsii

In 2019–2020, showy rattlepod ( Crotalaria spectabilis ) in Tokyo developed symptoms including yellowing, wilt, and damping off. A fungus forming white mycelia and brown sclerotia on potato dextrose agar plate was isolated, which reproduced the original symptoms on showy rattlepod by inoculation assay. The fungus was identified as Athelia rolfsii by morphological and molecular characteristics. The host range of the fungus was examined which suggested a wide spectrum. This is the first report of showy rattlepod southern blight caused by A. rolfsii in Japan.