Characteristics of Leaf Spot Disease Caused by Didymella Species and the Influence of Infection on Tea Quality

• DOI: 10.1094/phyto-06-22-0202-r
• Publication Date: 2023-03-27T20:39:43Z
• Authors: Xinyi Deng; Juan Yang; Yuhe Wan; Yuxin Han; Huarong Tong; Yingjuan Chen
• Keywords: Spots; Colletotrichum; Black spot

Leaf spots are the most damaging and common foliar diseases of tea caused by several species fungi. During 2018 to 2020, leaf spot showing different symptoms (large small spots) were observed in commercial plantations Guizhou Sichuan provinces China. The pathogen causing two sized was identified as same (Didymella segeticola) based on morphological characteristics, pathogenicity, multilocus phylogenetic analysis using combined ITS, TUB, LSU, RPB2 gene regions. Microbial diversity lesion tissues from naturally infected leaves further confirmed Didymella be present main pathogen. Results sensory evaluation quality-related metabolite shoots with symptom indicated that D. segeticola negatively affected quality flavor changing composition content caffeine, catechins, amino acids. In addition, significantly reduced acid derivatives positively associated enhanced bitter taste. results improve our understanding pathogenicity influence host plant, Camellia sinensis.