The Sigatoka Disease Complex Caused by spp. and Other Fungal Pathogens Associated with spp. in Puerto Rico.

Bananas ( spp.) are among the world's most economically important staple food crops. The most important fungal leaf diseases of spp. worldwide are caused by the Sigatoka disease complex, which comprises black Sigatoka (), yellow Sigatoka (), and Eumusae leaf spot (). Considering the rapid spreading rate of black Sigatoka in Puerto Rico since its first observation in 2004, a disease survey was conducted from 2018 to 2020 to evaluate the Sigatoka disease complex on the island. Sixty-one leaf samples showing Sigatoka-like symptoms were collected throughout the island for diagnosis by molecular approaches and fungal isolation. Molecular analysis using species-specific primers for , , detected the presence of in 50 leaf samples. Thirty-eight fungal isolates were collected and identified by morphology and genomic sequencing from various nuclear genes. The analysis identified 24 isolates as , while the rest of the isolates belonged to the genus spp. and -like spp. ( = 5) ( = 2), spp. ( = 6), and ( = 1). The high frequency of found in leaf samples and collected isolates suggests that black Sigatoka has displaced the yellow Sigatoka () in Puerto Rico. Accurate identification of fungal species causing foliar diseases in spp. will allow the establishment of quarantine regulations and specific management approaches in Puerto Rico.