Molecular and morphological characterization of Endoconidioma populi from Kurdistan province, Iran

Black meristematic fungi are cosmopolitan and able to adapt to extreme fluctuations of ultraviolet radiation, temperature, and moisture and grow in exposed habitats such as stone surfaces. In a survey on fungi associated with fruit rots, leaf spots, canker, gummosis, dieback and trunk diseases of grapevine and walnut trees in Kurdistan Province (Iran), some black meristematic fungal isolates resemble to Endoconidioma/Hormonema were found on necrotic twigs. Based on morphology and sequence data (28S rDNA and ITS) the isolates were characterized as Endoconidioma populi as a first record for Iran mycobiota. This is a first report of this species from Juglans regia and Vitis vinifera.