Most Common Fungal Diseases of Globe Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) Production Areas

Abstract

Globe Artichoke is an important export product after the potatoes and citrus fruits in Turkish Republic of Nothern Cyprus. Due to the fact that climatic conditions are very suitable for globe artichoke cultivation in the country, globe artichoke production area reached 5.622 da and were obtained 12 tons of products in 2016. Globe artichoke production is made of 66% in Gazimağusa Region and this followed by 15% in Güzelyurt Region, 11% in Iskele Region and 8% in Lefkoşa Region. Some diseases and pests that restrict globe artichoke cultivation reduce the market value in addition to the advantages of earlyness in production. White mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) disease was detected in 32 locations from the most intensive fungal diseases in simptomatological and morphological analyzes made from plant samples taken from globe artichoke cultivation in 79 locations between 2011-2015. In 444.20 da surveyed area, 67.10% of the globe artichoke locations were found to be infected with pathogenic fungal disease. In the study, in the areas where globe artichoke cultivation is carried out, soil-borne pathogens Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Botrytis cinerea, Macrophomina phaseolina and Fusarium spp. fungal diseases have been identified. The results of this study are important in determining an effective control method with the detection of fungal diseases that affect globe artichoke production and quality in the region.

Keywords: Globe artichoke, Northern Cyprus, plant disease

DOI: 10.7176/JSTR/6-04-07