Leucostoma cinctum. [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria].
Abstract A description is provided for Leucostoma cinctum. Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. DISEASE: Leucostoma cinctum, especially in its conidial state, is a well-known pathogen of stone-fruit trees causing necrosis of twigs, perennial Cytospora-canker. The fungus penetrates mainly through the scars, and may result in dieback of branches or even whole trees. Tree susceptibility to L. cinctum is influenced by lesions (Stanova, 1990). Comparative anatomy and host response of peach cultivars inoculated with L. cinctum was studied by Biggs (1986). Resistance of different cultivars of stone-fruit trees to L cinctum has been investigated by many authors (Cociu et al., 1991; Miles et al., 1989; Pedryc & Rozsnyai, 1991). HOSTS: On dead or dying, attached or fallen twigs of the Rosaceae, mainly Prunoideae (Amygdalus, Armeniaca, Cerasus, Persica, Prunus) and rarely other subfamilies of the Rosaceae, including genera such as Cotoneaster, Crataegus, Malus and Pyrus. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Asia: Armenia, Republic of Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan. Australasia: Australia. Europe: Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Moldova, Rumania, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Turkey, UK, Ukraine, former Yugoslavia. North America: Canada, USA (Idaho, Michigan, New-Jersey, Oregon). TRANSMISSION: Both conidia and ascospores are air-borne, especially under humid conditions. Orange or reddish droplets or tendrils of conidia extruded from conidiomata can be often seen after rain. It is also known that arthropods can carry propagules in stone-fruit orchards (Helton et al., 1988).