DETECTION OF FUNGAL PATHOGENS OF THE GENUS MONILINIA IN CULTIVATED APPLE ORCHARDS

Fungal pathogens of the genus Monilinia pose a significant threat to fruit production, particularly in temperate regions such as southeastern Kazakhstan. This study investigates the morphological, molecular, and pathogenic characteristics of mixed infections caused by Monilinia fructigena and Monilinia polystroma, two closely related species responsible for fruit rot in apple orchards. Samples from symptomatic apple fruits were collected in the Almaty region, and pure fungal cultures were isolated and characterized. Morphological examination of the isolates revealed typical Monilinia colony characteristics, including dense mycelial growth and sporulation patterns. Experimental inoculation of Pyrus communis cv. ‘Conference’ confirmed high pathogenic potential and aggressive lesion development within 24 hours post-inoculation. Molecular identification using species-specific primers targeting the LAC2 gene confirmed mixed infections in 8 out of 9 samples. This is the first documented co-occurrence of M. fructigena and M. polystroma in Kazakhstan. The findings emphasize the necessity of integrating morphological assessment with molecular diagnostics for accurate pathogen identification