Identity and Pathogenicity of Fungi Associated with Crown and Root Rot of Dryland Winter Wheat in Azerbaijan

A comprehensive survey was performed to assess fungal populations associated with crown and root rot of wheat throughout the main wheat-growing areas of Azerbaijan. Samples were taken from 76 fields; 630 fungal strains were isolated, identified, and evaluated for pathogenicity. The identification was conducted with morphological and molecular tools such as species-specific PCR and DNA sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and -α ( -α) loci. The fungus found in the greatest number of fields (44) was with 192 isolates, followed by . Other spp. isolates were identified: , , , , , , , and . , , , , and spp. isolates were also identified, associated with underground parts of wheat. Phylogenetic analyses based on ITS and -α sequences of the isolates showed that the isolates belonging to the same species were clearly separated in the dendrogram. Pathogenicity assays revealed that , , and were most aggressive; , , , , , and isolates were moderately aggressive; , , and were weakly aggressive; and others were nonpathogenic. The result of this study exhibited the existence of a wide range of species associated with crown and root rot of wheat in Azerbaijan. Additionally, this is the first report of , , , , and as pathogens on wheat in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is the second country after Algeria in which was detected.