What question did this study set out to answer?

To identify the causal agent of leaf spot disease affecting Rhododendron pulchrum in China.

November 9, 2025Plant Disease

First report of Apiospora guangdongensis causes leaf spot disease on Rhododendron pulchrum Sweet in China

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Field investigation confirmed pathogenicity of Apiospora guangdongensis in Rhododendron pulchrum, indicating new disease diagnosis indicators.

To identify the causal agent of leaf spot disease affecting Rhododendron pulchrum in China.
Investigated 2000 Rhododendron pulchrum plants for disease symptoms.
Conducted molecular identification using ITS, TEF1-α, LSU, and TUB2 gene amplification.
Constructed a phylogenetic tree using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods.
Confirmed pathogenicity through conidial suspension experiments.
Approximately 45% of surveyed plants showed symptoms of leaf spot disease.
Identified Apiospora guangdongensis as the pathogen through molecular techniques.
Symptoms matched those observed in the field after controlled inoculation.

Li et al. (2025) studied this question.

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Field investigation confirmed pathogenicity of Apiospora guangdongensis in Rhododendron pulchrum, indicating new disease diagnosis indicators.