The Race Distribution of the Fulvia Fulva Populations and Mutations in the Avr Genes in Turkey

Tomato leaf mould caused by Fulvia fulva (syn. Cladosporium fulvum, Passalora fulva) is an especially important disease of greenhouse grown tomato. In this study, F. fulva isolates were obtained from Antalya, Mugla, Mersin, Burdur, Bartin, and Zonguldak provinces of Turkey. Pathogenicity tests were carried out with 47 isolates using a differential set of tomato varieties containing Cf-2, Cf-4, Cf-5, Cf-6, Cf-9, and Cf-4/11 resistance genes and Cf-0 with no resistance gene. As a result of pathogenicity tests, races 2, 2.4, 2.5, 2.9, 2.5.9, 2.4.11, and 2.4.5.9.11 were identified. The most frequent races were 2 and 2.5. In addition, mutations in the Avr2, Avr4, Avr4E, Avr5, and Avr9 genes were investigated. While mutations in Avr2 and Avr5 genes occurred within the coding region, Avr4E and Avr9 genes occurred outside the coding DNA sequence. Based on mutations in Avr genes and mating types, 14 genotypes of F. fulva were determined. This study revealed the race distribution of the F. fulva populations and mutations in the Avr genes in Turkey. It will contribute to studies on the population structure and control of the pathogen.