Multilocus Identification and Pathogenicity of Aspergillus tubingensis Associated With Postharvest Black Mould Rot of Apple in Türkiye

OpenAlex · English

ABSTRACT Black mould rot is a common postharvest disease of pome fruits, but the species identity of black aspergilli associated with these symptoms is not always resolved. In this study, two representative isolates obtained from symptomatic apple ( Malus domestica ) fruits in Türkiye were identified as Aspergillus tubingensis based on morphological characters and multilocus phylogenetic analyses of β‐tubulin ( BenA ), calmodulin ( CaM ) and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit ( RPB2 ) genes. Pathogenicity assays produced lesions on wounded pome fruits, whereas non‐wounded fruits remained symptomless, indicating a wound‐dependent infection pattern under the tested conditions. Cross‐host inoculation assays on pear ( Pyrus communis ) and quince ( Cydonia oblonga ) revealed significant variation in susceptibility among cultivars, with ‘Deveci’ pear exhibiting the highest disease severity. For the two isolates examined, temperature assays indicated optimal mycelial growth at 31.0°C–32.7°C, while conidial germination peaked at approximately 35.4°C and remained high at 40°C, suggesting isolate‐level differences between mycelial growth and conidial germination responses to elevated temperature. To our knowledge, this is the first multilocus‐supported record of A. tubingensis causing postharvest black mould rot of apple in Türkiye, highlighting the importance of multilocus identification for resolving black aspergilli associated with pome fruit decay.