Three Alternaria Species Pathogenic to Sunflower

Alternaria helianthi and two unreported species of Alternaria in Korea were isolated from lesions of Alternaria leaf spot disease of sunflower. The unrecorded species of Alternaria were identified as A. helianthinficients and A. protenta based on the morphological characteristics of conidiophores and conidia. A. helianthi was the dominant species, although all the three species were associated with the disease. A. helianthi, A. helianthinficiens and A. protenta produced similar symptoms on detached sunflower leaves. This is the first report of A. helianthinficiens and A. protenta pathogenic on sunflower in Korea.