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Identification and characterization of Alternaria species causing leaf spot on cabbage, cauliflower, wild and cultivated rocket by using molecular and morphological features and mycotoxin production

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Abstract

Alternaria species are common pathogens of fruit and vegetables able to produce secondary metabolites potentially affecting human health. Twenty-nine isolates obtained from cabbage, cauliflower, wild and cultivated rocket were characterized and identified based on sporulation pattern and virulence; the phylogenetic analysis was based on the β-tubulin gene. Isolates were identified as A. alternata, A. tenuissima, A. arborescens, A. brassicicola and A. japonica. Pathogenicity was evaluated on plants under greenhouse conditions. Two isolates showed low level of virulence on cultivated rocket while the other isolates showed medium or high level of virulence. Isolates were also characterized for their mycotoxin production on a modified Czapek-Dox medium. Production of the five Alternaria toxins, tenuazonic acid, alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ether, altenuene and tentoxin were evaluated. Under these conditions, about 80% of the isolates showed the ability to produce at least one mycotoxin.

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Acknowledgements

Work supported by the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement n. 261752, PLANTFOODSEC “Plant and Food Biosecurity, Network of Excellence”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Agroinnova – Centre of Competence for the Innovation in the Agro-Environmental Sector, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Turin, Italy

    Ilenia Siciliano, Giovanna Gilardi, Giuseppe Ortu, Ulrich Gisi, Maria Lodovica Gullino & Angelo Garibaldi

  2. DISAFA - Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali e Alimentari, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Turin, Italy

    Maria Lodovica Gullino

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  1. Ilenia Siciliano
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  2. Giovanna Gilardi
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Correspondence to Ilenia Siciliano.

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Siciliano, I., Gilardi, G., Ortu, G. et al. Identification and characterization of Alternaria species causing leaf spot on cabbage, cauliflower, wild and cultivated rocket by using molecular and morphological features and mycotoxin production. Eur J Plant Pathol 149, 401–413 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-017-1190-0

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