First Report of Botrytis Cinerea on Saffron Corms in Morocco

Abstract

During a comprehensive survey of the fungal diversity associated with Crocus sativus in the saffron cultivation regions of Taliouine and Taznakht in Morocco, several different fungi were isolated, including Botrytis cinerea, a well-known pathogen responsible for gray mold disease in various crops. This particular fungus was specifically isolated from saffron corms. The identification of this isolate was confirmed through a combination of morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analysis, focusing on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA sequences. Based on these detailed analyses, the isolate OM980236 was definitely identified as Botrytis cinerea. Further confirmation of its pathogenicity was achieved by fulfilling Koch's postulates, demonstrating that B. cinerea was indeed the causative agent of the observed disease. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first official report of B. cinerea isolated from saffron corms in Morocco, marking a significant addition to the understanding of saffron pathogens in this important region.