First report of coffee leaf spot caused by Curvularia geniculata

During May and June 2021, the commercially grown coffee, variety SL34, grown commercially, developed necrotic, irregularly shaped spots on 1–5% of leaves. These plants were under greenhouse culture in the area of Goheung in South Korea (34°47′N, 127°46′E). The leaf spots, often observed at leaf margins, changed with time from reddish‐brown coloration to dark brown lesions with yellow halos. Morphological and molecular analysis confirmed the fungus from the lesions as Curvularia geniculata. The pathogenicity of the fungal isolate was verified by Koch's postulates on coffee plants grown under greenhouse conditions. These findings support that C. geniculata causes leaf spot disease in coffee plants and, to our knowledge, is the first time this disease has been reported in the world.