Characterization and Fungicides Sensitivity of Species Causing Anthracnose in Beijing, China

(Thunb.) Ser. is one of the widely cultivated plants in home gardens and scenic areas of China. Anthracnose disease is commonly observed during the normal growth of , significantly impacting its ornamental and economic values. From 2021 to 2023, an investigation on anthracnose was carried out in nine parks of Beijing, China, and a total of 114 isolates were obtained from the diseased leaves with typical anthracnose symptoms. Based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of six genomic loci including rDNA-ITS, , , , , and , these isolates were identified as belonging to six species. Among which, was the most abundant (65 isolates, 57.0%), followed by (33 isolates, 28.9%), (8 isolates, 7.0%), (4 isolates, 3.5%), (2 isolates, 1.8%) and (2 isolates, 1.8%). Pathogenicity test conducted on detached leaves of revealed a distinct variation in virulence among isolates from different species, and wounding was either essential or conducive to successful infection. Specifically, exhibited greater aggressiveness, resulting in larger lesions, while induced lesions most quickly. Fungicide sensitivity assays demonstrated that prochloraz exerted a remarkable inhibitory effect on the mycelial growth of representative isolates belonging to the three predominant species. In contrast to difenoconazole and tebuconazole, the mean EC values for prochloraz against , , and were 0.062, 0.033, and 0.023 μg/ml, respectively. This is the first report of , , and causing anthracnose worldwide including China. These findings have elucidated the  species associated with anthracnose as well as their fungicides sensitivities in Beijing, China. This provides a scientific foundation for the accurate diagnosis and local management of anthracnose.