Geographical Analysis of Fungi of the Genus Ascochyta Lib. Found in the Central Black Soil Region

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to provide a geographical analysis of fungi of the genus Ascochyta Lib. found in the Central Black Soil Region and to determine sources and ways of formation of the genus mycobiota. Materials and methods. Species of the genus Ascochyta found in the Central Black Soil Region were analyzed by comparing the distribution ranges of host plants and fungi parasitizing on them, taking into account the classification of plant ranges and defining the limit lines of ranges. Results and discussion. Species of the genus Ascochyta are classified into 8 types of geographical elements of the flora. According to the range limits all species are divided into 3 groups and 5 subgroups. The sources of formation of the mycobiota of the genus Ascochyta are: 1) endemic species; 2) species naturally migrating from other centres in two ways: together with the host plant; by adaptation to new plants; and 3) species artificially introduced by humans with seeds, planting material and vegetative plants. Conclusions. The mycobiota of the genus Ascochyta Lib. in the Central Black Soil Region was formed by migration and introduction of fungi together with higher plants and areal expansion by adaptation to new, closely related plant species. Botanical gardens and other artificial plantations are centres of active introduction of pathogenic fungi.