Ascochyta blight (Ascochyta fabae) of faba bean (Vicia faba L.): Phenotypic and molecular characterization, pathogenicity and in vitro biological control by Bacillus spp. and Pseudomonas spp.

Ascochyta blight is a major biotic constraint of faba bean (Vicia L.) production and productivity worldwide caused by fabae. No studies have been performed in Algeria to identify A. fabae isolates or assess their pathogenicity, therefore information on local insufficient. Herein, 14 were obtained from samples identified based morphological traits phylogenetic analysis internal transcribed spacer sequences. All generated sequences deposited GenBank assigned accession numbers. Pathogenicity tests plants revealed that all produced necrotic lesions aerial parts with variable intensity, classifying them as weakly, moderately, highly aggressive. The vitro antifungal activity Bacillus Pseudomonas strains against showed siamensis B8 mojavensis B31 had the highest suppressive potential isolates. Moreover, negative correlation was found between aggressiveness susceptibility biocontrol strains. This first report identification, pathogenicity biological control Algeria. could be further developed promising agents for ascochyta bean.