First report of Boeremia exigua on Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) in Kashmir Himalayas

Abstract Boeremia exigua causing Ascochyta leaf spot is the first report on mungbean, owing to substantial yield losses. The outbreak of this pathogen on mungbean is of concern because of its severity and seed-borne nature. After the disease become more severe, collections of Ascochyta leaf spot were obtained during investigation. Based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of a combined ITS and β-tubulin sequence dataset, Boeremia exigua was reported as new pathogen to mungbean and therefore was introduced as new collection. Positive test results were obtained for this pathogen and the resulting PCR product sequences were submitted in GenBank (accession no. OM992361.1) and submission id of other sequence (2591999). Phylogenetic analysis in this study revealed that the observed isolates and Boeremia exigua formed a monophyletic group. Detailed descriptions as well as an updated phylogenetic history are provided to confirm the placement of this newly identified pathogen.