# Small-Spored Alternaria Species (Pleosporales, Pleosporaceae) Associated with Cucurbitaceae in China

## TL;DR

This study identifies new and previously unreported Alternaria species affecting cucurbit crops in China, enhancing understanding of their diversity and aiding disease diagnosis.

## Contribution

Discovery of two new Alternaria species and first-time reports of five others on cucurbit hosts in China.

## Key findings

- Two new Alternaria species, A. charantiicola and A. cucumicola, were identified from cucurbit plants.
- Five Alternaria species were reported for the first time on cucurbit hosts in China.
- The study expands the known diversity of Alternaria associated with Cucurbitaceae in the region.

## Abstract

Cucurbitaceous plants comprise a wide range of economically important vegetable and fruit crops. In this study, Alternaria species associated with Cucurbitaceae were investigated using an integrative approach combining multilocus phylogenetic analyses and morphological characterization. Two novel species, Alternaria charantiicola sp. nov. and A. cucumicola sp. nov., were identified from Momordica charantia and Cucumis sp., respectively. In addition, five Alternaria species, namely A. zeae, A. lycopersici, A. sanguisorbae, A. pulvinifungicola, and A. solanicola, are reported for the first time from cucurbitaceous hosts. These findings expand the known species diversity of Alternaria associated with Cucurbitaceae in China and provide a taxonomic basis for the accurate diagnosis of Alternaria-related diseases in cucurbit crops.