New records of fungi associated with coffee leaf rust in Peru and their interactions with urediniospores of Hemileia vastatrix

Huaman-Pilco A.F.; Olivares-Valqui N.; Rojas-Vargas J.; Gaslac-Zumaeta E.; Mena-Chacon L.M.; Hernández-Amasifuen A.D.; Oliva-Cruz M. · European Journal of Plant Pathology (2026) · DOI: 10.1007/s10658-026-03300-8

Resumen

Coffee leaf rust, caused by Hemileia vastatrix, is a major disease of coffee worldwide. We characterized three fungi associated with rust uredinia in Amazonas, Peru: Akanthomyces uredinophilus (syn. Lecanicillium uredinophilum), Flavocillium subprimulinum, and Ovicillium attenuatum. Species identification was supported by morphology and family-specific multilocus phylogenetic analyses. Controlled inoculation assays showed that all three fungi colonized H. vastatrix uredinia, while controls remained uncolonized. SEM revealed extensive hyphal contact with urediniospores. The inoculated fungi were successfully reisolated from colonized uredinia. These records extend the known distribution of A. uredinophilus, represent the first report of O. attenuatum associated with H. vastatrix in the Americas, and document, to our knowledge, the first association of F. subprimulinum with coffee leaf rust. These findings expand current knowledge of fungal diversity associated with H. vastatrix and support further evaluation of their ecological and biocontrol roles. © Koninklijke Nederlandse Planteziektenkundige Vereniging 2026.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas