First detection of tomato powdery mildew caused by Oidium neolycopersici in South Africa

Oidium neolycopersici has a world-wide distribution causing severe epidemics mainly on greenhouse tomatoes. Currently, only Leveillula taurica has been reported on tomato from South Africa. However, another powdery mildew species on tomato was found recently. Based on morphological comparison and molecular analysis, its identity was confirmed as O. neolycopersici. The possible means of introduction and other aspects of this finding are discussed.