First report of common root rot on triticale caused by bipolaris sorokiniana in Kazakhstan

riticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack) is a man-made crop obtained from the crossing of wheat (Triticum sp.) × rye (Secale cereale L.) and is adapted to harsh conditions. It is mainly cultivated as a feed grain for livestock in Kazakhstan. In 2019, a survey in three triticale fields in Almaty province revealed a pathogen on underground portions of the plant, which caused stunting and subcrown internode necrosis of the infected roots. To identify the causal agent(s), sections of necrotic tissues (3 to 5 mm) were superficially disinfected in 1% NaOCl solution for 2 min, rinsed with sterile distilled water, and placed on 1/5 strength potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with 0.01% streptomycin. After 5 days of incubation at 20°C in the dark, fungal colonies of similar morphological features were observed and purified to separate PDA plates using the single-spore isolation technique.