Anatomic-morphological characteristic of fungus Coniochaeta prunicola isolated from Prunus cerasus leaves

Abstract

Prunus cerasus L. is selected tree of genus Prunus susceptible to various pathogens, which
caused discoloration, brown spots, blight symptoms and necroses, affecting their aesthetic value.
The symptoms of infection observable from spring to autumn are increased, when the plants are
in bloom – resulting in dieback and leaf drop. The damage is caused by fungus Coniochaeta
prunicola Damm & Crous (Coniochaetales, Sordariomycetes, Ascomycota). The present work
tries to specify – on the basis of light-microscopical morphological studies – the fungus C.
prunicola that was isolated from Prunus cerasus symptomatic leaves from district Nitra and
propose, for the first time, as a causative agent of sour cherry damage. The specific differences in
spore size and anamorph morphology to the similar C. velutina could be confirmed. C. prunicola is
characterized by dark brown ascomata clothed with setae, the fasciculate, unitunicate, cylindrical
asci and broadly almond-shaped, ellipsoidal ascospores with a longitudinal germ slit.