First report of Curvularia eragrostidis leaf spot on Populus deltoides

Summary Poplars are affected by a large number of foliar pathogens in nurseries and in the field, which result in biomass reductions. Management of these diseases is essential to minimise losses. During field surveys between 2008 and 12, an unrecognized leaf spot disease was observed on several commercial clones of P. deltoides (G-48, Udai, WSL-22 & WSL-39). The pathogen was identified as Curvularia eragrostidis. Pathogenicity was proven on all host clones. This paper is the first report of the pathogen affecting poplars.