First report of Leptoxyphium fumago causing sooty mold on coffee (Coffea arabica) in Korea

Coffee (Coffee arabica L.) is an economically valuable crop grown worldwide. In 2022, sooty mold symptoms were noticed on coffee leaves in a greenhouse in Namwon, Korea. The presence of this mold can potentially hinder this crop's photosynthesis and growth. The fungus responsible was identified as Leptoxyphium fumago based on morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analysis of ITS, LSU, and EF1-α sequences. Artificial inoculation of a conidial suspension to coffee plants validated its pathogenicity. This is the first global report of L. fumago causing sooty mold on coffee plants.