Leaf Blight Caused by a Marasmius sp. on Pueraria montana in Korea

Pueraria montana (syn. P. lobata) is native to East Asia but has become an invasive species in North America and Europe, where it causes considerable ecological and economic disruption. Leaf blight symptoms have been observed on P. montana during the humid summer and early fall across multiple regions in Korea. Fungal isolates from symptomatic leaves were identified as belonging to the genus Marasmius through both morphological examination and molecular analysis. Artificial inoculation tests confirmed the pathogenicity of the isolates. This study is the first record of a Marasmius sp. causing leaf blight on P. montana in Korea. Also, we provided detailed documentation of disease symptoms and the morphological and molecular characteristics of the pathogen.