First report of brown leaf spot caused by Alternaria alternata on cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) in Italy

Cultivation of Aspidistra elatior Blume is very important in Southern Italy because diffusely used as cut foliage plant. During spring-summer 2016 a severe outbreak of brown leaf spots was observed in two cast iron plantations. The causal agent was identified as Alternaria alternata isolate by molecular methods. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of A. alternata causing brown spot on A. elatior.