BOTRYTIS BLIGHT OF BLUEBERRY IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Abstract

In June 2022, blight symptoms of blueberry plants (cv. Bluecrop) were observed in a blueberry plantation in Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Blackish-brown young shoots, leaves, flower parts and fruits, and brownish mycelia and conidia were observed. Approximately 5% of the plants were affected. The causal fungus was identified as Botrytis cinerea based on cultural, morphological, and molecular characteristics. Pathogenicity studies were performed in a greenhouse with 2-year-old blueberry plants (cv. Bluecrop). This is the first report of Botrytis cinerea causing the blight disease of blueberries in Bosnia and Herzegovina.