First records of powdery mildew fungi (Erysiphales) on medicinal plants in Taiwan

Abstract Background Production of medicinal plants in Taiwan is not only hampered by international market competition, but also lack knowledge their pathogens, such as powdery mildew fungi (Erysiphales, Ascomycota). Records these originate from few researchers for the last one hundred years and are still incomplete. Since mildews tropical/subtropical environments rarely develop sexual stages with morphologically diagnostic characteristics, internal transcribed spacer sequences (ITS) ribosomal RNA genes obtained asexual have become important modern tools species identification. Results Powdery on educational ornamental plantations were identified based anamorph morphology ITS sequences. Four new records Taiwan, Arthrocladiella mougeotii Lycium chinense , Erysiphe glycines Pueraria lobata lespedezae Bauhinia sp., Desmodium caudatum Uraria crinita E. lonicerae Lonicera japonica . Eryngium foetidum a host heraclei hitherto known other Taiwan. worldwide. Only specific field collection pathogens yielded records, checking plant specimens phanerogam herbarium. The did cause death plants, appeared to enhance stress infection mature leaves. Conclusions Taxonomic study results into economically potential consequences production quarantine shows that quite incomplete Although useful identification, data several same genus hand low variation between closely related indicate need further study.