Occurrence and Identification of Common Fungal Diseases of Cultivated Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) in Mongolia

Abstract

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is widely cultivated in Mongolia as part of national programs aimed at expanding fruit and berry production. However, fungal diseases increasingly threaten fruit yield, quality, and sustainable production. Therefore, we investigated the fungal diseases commonly occurring in sea buckthorn cultivated in Mongolia. This study aimed to identify the major fungal pathogens affecting cultivated sea buckthorn in selected provinces of Mongolia and the vicinity of Ulaanbaatar. Field surveys were conducted during 2023–2024 at 11 sites in Tuv, Selenge, Khuvsgul, and Bulgan provinces, as well as around Ulaanbaatar. Symptomatic plant samples were collected and examined using morphological and microscopic methods. Fungal pathogens were isolated on potato dextrose agar (PDA), and pure cultures were identified using standard fungal identification keys. Three major fungal diseases were identified: Verticillium wilt caused by Verticillium dahliae (36.36%), Fusarium dried-shrink caused by Fusarium sporotrichioides (27.27%), and brown rot caused by Monilia altaica (27.27%). Brown spot caused by Alternaria sp. was detected in 9.09% of samples. Pure cultures of the major pathogens were successfully isolated and taxonomically classified. The findings indicate that Verticillium wilt, Fusarium dried-shrink, and brown rot are the most common fungal diseases of cultivated sea buckthorn in the surveyed regions of Mongolia. These results provide baseline information for future disease monitoring and support the development of sustainable disease management strategies, including biological control approaches.