First report of powdery mildew caused by Pseudoidium neolycopersici on Lycopersicon esculentum based on morphological and molecular identification in Iran

Powdery mildew is an important disease in the fields and greenhouse-grown tomatoes in the world. Leveillula taurica has been reported as only tomato powdery mildew causal agent in Iran. During study on Erysiphaceae in Ardabil province, tomato leaves with powdery mildew symptoms in one greenhouse in Ardabil city were collected and isolates were identified based on morphological characteristics. Moreover, total DNA was extracted with Chelex 5% method and the ITS region of rDNA were amplified and sequenced using ITS1 and ITS4 primers. According to morphological and molecular characteristics, the fungus identified as Pseudoidium neolycopersici. Thus, this species reported for the first time as powdery mildew on Lycopersicon esculentum in Iran. P. neolycopersici is one of important causal agents of tomato powdery mildew in the world and its occurrence is a new treat on tomato culture in Iran.