Molecular identification and pathogenicity of Curvularia spicifera isolated from seeds of the hybrid elephant grass cultivar BRS Capileto (Pennisetum purpureum × Pennisetum glaucum) in Brazil.

This article discusses the molecular identification and pathogenicity of Curvularia spicifera, a fungus isolated from seeds of the hybrid elephant grass cultivar BRS Capileto in Brazil. The seeds were collected for a phytosanitary evaluation and were found to be infected with the fungus. The fungus was identified through morphological characteristics and confirmed through DNA analysis. Pathogenicity tests showed that the fungus caused brown lesions on the grass seedlings. This is the first report of Curvularia spicifera associated with forage grass seeds in Brazil. [Extracted from the article]