Occurrence of Gray Mold in Castor Bean Caused by Botrytis cinerea and Amphobotrys ricini in Korea

Occurrence of Gray Mold in Castor Bean Caused by Botrytis cinerea and Amphobotrys ricini in Korea

Gray mold was observed on leaves of castor bean grown in Woniu and Okcheon in Korea in October 2000. Symptoms developed in the form of spot and blight with sporulation of the causal fungi at the marginal or central parts of the leaves. A total of 25 isolates were obtained from the infected leaves of castor bean. Out of the 25 isolates, 5 isolates which originated from Woniu were identified as Botrytis cinerea, while 20 isolates from Okcheon were identified as Amphobotrys ricini based on morphological and cultural characteristics. Two isolates each of B. cinerea and A. ricini were tested for their pathogenicity to castor bean plants. Gray mold symptoms similar to those observed in the fields were induced on leaves of castor bean by artificial inoculation. This is the first report of gray mold in castor bean caused by B. cinerea and A. ricini in Korea.