ChileanJAR

During the winter of 1984, a disease on pea was detected in the Carillanca Experimental Station, IX Region of Chile. Affeeted plants showed small brown to purple spots on the leaves. They were almost circular, without definite margins. Some affeeted leaves died, due to drying, and remained attached to the stem. All plant parts could be affected, including the petals and pods. The stem lesions were similar in color, but longer and elongated, often extending upward and downward from the nodal area; they could coalesce and take a blue-black color and cause streaking of the stem. Also footrot and severe blight was observed. Based on the morphology, culture's characteristics, mycological observations and pathogenicity tests, it was concluded that the field symptoms observed correspond to the action of Mycosphaerella pinodes (Berk y Blox) Vertergr, perfect form of Ascochyta pinodes (Berk y Blox). This is the first report of this fungus in Chile.