Morphological and Molecular Identification of Curvularia geniculata Associated with Leaf Spot Disease of Banana in China.

[Objectives] The paper was to identify the causal agent of leaf spot of banana in Hainnan, China. [Methods] Fungus isolates were isolated from the diseased tissues, and morphological characteristics of colony and spore were observed. Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses and pathogenicity test were conducted to confirm the pathogen. [ Results] The fungus isolates from the diseased tissues was identified as Curvularia geniculata. [Conclusions] C. geniculata is a new pathogen causing leaf spot of banana in Hainan, China. This finding will help to broaden the distribution and host range of C. geniculata, indicating that it poses potential damage to banana in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]