Penicillium raperi causes rot disease on Morchella sextelata in Heilongjiang Province, China

Morel (Morchella sextelata), a fungus with considerable nutritional, medicinal, and economic value, has been extensively cultivated in China. In May 2023, a rot disease was observed on approximately 20% of the fruiting bodies in a morel greenhouse located in Harbin city, Heilongjiang province, China. In the present investigation, a total of fifteen fungal isolates were obtained, and subsequent analysis confirmed their identification as Penicillium raperi based on morphological and phylogenetic methods. Pathogenicity test provided evidence that P. raperi was capable of inducing rot symptoms which closely resembled those observed in field, thus confirming that P. raperi is the pathogen of M. sextelata. Thereby, this is the first report of P. raperi causing rot disease on M. sextelata worldwide. This study will furnish crucial insights for the management of diseases affecting morel mushrooms in the field.