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Characterization and Pathogenicity of Phomopsis theicola Anamorph of Diaporthe foeniculina Causing Stem and Shoot Cankers on Sweet Chestnut in Italy
Author(s) -
Annesi Tiziana,
Luongo Laura,
Vitale Salvatore,
Galli Massimo,
Belisario Alessandra
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of phytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.53
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1439-0434
pISSN - 0931-1785
DOI - 10.1111/jph.12426
Subject(s) - biology , phomopsis , conidium , botany , shoot , inoculation , fungus , pathogenicity , leaf spot , horticulture , microbiology and biotechnology
In March 2014, an outbreak of shoot cankers was observed on grafted Castanea sativa plants in a glasshouse in central Italy. Morphological characteristics led to the identification of isolates of Phomopsis recovered from cankered stems and shoots. Based on the morphological characteristics of colony appearance, shape of conidia and conidiomata as well as sequences of internal transcribed spacer regions ( ITS ), actin ( ACT ) and translation elongation factor ( TEF ‐1 α ), the fungus was identified as Phomopsis theicola / Diaporthe foeniculina . Pathogenicity test showed that P. theicola isolates were pathogenic to C. sativa when artificially inoculated, reproducing the symptoms originally observed. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by re‐isolating the pathogen. This is the first report of P. theicola / D. foeniculina causing stem and shoot cankers and dieback on C. sativa in Italy or elsewhere.