protenta at high frequency reveals new insight into the contribution of Alternaria species in early blight disease. Within the groups of large-spored Alternaria present in Serbia, evidence of A. Our findings present a new perspective into the population structure of large-spored Alternaria species associated with early blight disease. Differentiation of species was supported by phylogeny obtained from the DNA sequences of the GAPDH, calmodulin and Rpb2 genes. grandis that were involved in early blight disease on naturally infected potato leaves in Serbia. In addition to Alternaria solani, we detected three more large-spored species identified as A. was studied by analyzing isolates from symptomatic potato leaves during multiyear sampling. We showed that the four species of Alternaria were found in areas with different distributions of the species. covering all potato production areas in Serbia. Here, we analyzed genetic and phenotypic diversity in isolates of Alternaria spp.

Previous studies have shown that Alternaria solani is the main early blight pathogen parasitizing potato. Understanding which fungal pathogens are the causal agents of early blight and their distribution on the same host is essential to finding the best strategy for the control of this disease. 3Agricultural Advisory Service, Čačak, SerbiaĮarly blight is an economically important disease of potato worldwide.2Agricultural Advisory Service, Leskovac, Serbia.1Department of Plant Disease, Institute for Plant Protection and Environment, Belgrade, Serbia.Žarko Ivanović 1 * Jovana Blagojević 1 Gordana Jovanović 2 Borko Ivanović 3 Danica Žeželj 1

Early and late blight of potato