First Report of Leaf Spot in Fischer’s Ragwort Caused by Didymella ligulariae

During disease surveys from 2019 to 2021, the authors frequently encountered leaf spot symptoms on Fischer’s ragwort plants growing at fields six locations of Gangwon Province, Korea. The displayed brown dark brown, circular or irregular spots plant leaves. revealed 1–90% diseased leaves plants. Phoma sp. was dominantly isolated lesions. Seven single-spore isolates fungus were selected and identified as Didymella ligulariae by investigation their cultural, morphological, molecular characteristics. Artificial inoculation test conducted with three D. ligulariae. that tested cause in similar natural ones. fungal pathogen has never been reported ragwort. Leaf caused is first this study.