First report of Thekopsora minima in China
In 2015, symptoms of leaf rust were observed in several blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) fields in 4 localities (Wenjiang, Shuangliu, Dujiangyan, Yaan) in Sichuan province, China. Blueberry leaf rust symptoms were first observed in April, causing extensive defoliation in the following months. Random field surveys were performed in early October to determine the incidence of the disease in Wenjiang by assessing 20 leaves from 100 plants of each cultivar. The disease incidence was estimated to be 87.2, 5.1, 3.5, and 0.0% on cvs Sharpblue, Misty, Bluegold, and O’Neill, respectively. Laboratory analysis (morphology, PCR and sequencing, pathogenicity test) confirmed the presence of Thekopsora minima (EPPO Alert List) in symptomatic leaf samples.
The situation of Thekopsora minima in China can be described as follows: Present, first found in 2015 in several blueberry fields (4 localities) in Sichuan province.
Sources
Zheng X, Tang G, Tian Y, Huang X, Chang X, Chen H, Yang H, Zhang Z, Gong G (2017) First report of leaf rust of blueberry caused by Thekopsora minima in China. Plant Disease 101(5), p 835.