Detection of Gibellina cerealis infection on winter common wheat in Ukraine

False eyespot disease caused by Gibellina cerealis (Pass.) Pass. was first detected in Ukraine during field inspections of wheat canopies in 2017–2018. Symptoms were detected at different plant development stages (from booting to soft dough) on stems, sheaths and leaf blades. The severely infected plants showed reduced tillering and did not form a head. The causal agent was successfully isolated from symptomatic tissue and identified using morphological methods as Gibellina cerealis. Identification was confirmed with molecular methods using two sets of species-specific primers. Changes in climate and farming practices are suspected to contribute to spread and increase of the disease.