scholarly journals First Report of Ilyonectria macrodidyma Causing Root Rot of Olive Trees (Olea europaea) in California

Plant Disease ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 96 (9) ◽  
pp. 1378-1378 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Úrbez-Torres ◽  
F. Peduto ◽  
W. D. Gubler
Keyword(s):  
Root Rot ◽  
Small Subunit ◽  
Internal Transcribed Spacer Region ◽  
Olive Cultivar ◽  
Field Station ◽  
First Report ◽  
Light Yellow ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Root Necrosis ◽  
Olive Trees

The California olive industry produces 99% of the U.S. olive crop, which represented a value of over $113 million in 2010. During the 2008 and 2009 growing seasons, decline of young super-high-density olive cvs. Arbequina, Arbosana, and Koroneiki trees (<4 years old) was observed in orchards throughout Glenn, Yolo, and San Joaquin Counties. Symptomatic trees showed stunted growth and chlorotic leaves with roots having black, sunken, necrotic lesions, which frequently prolonged into the base and crown of the tree. Twenty-five trees were collected from different orchards and necrotic roots as well as infected trunk tissue were plated onto potato dextrose agar amended with 0.01% tetracycline hydrochloride. Cultures were incubated at room temperature (23 ± 2°C) until fungal colonies were observed. In 17 out of 25 trees collected (68%), light yellow fungal colonies were observed from the symptomatic tissue after 7 to 10 days. Colonies turned dark yellow to orange with age and showed an orange-dark brown reverse. Both microconidia (hyaline, ellipsoidal to ovoidal and aseptate (n = 60) (6.5) 11.5 to 13.5 (17.1) × (3) 3.4 to 4.5 (5.6) μm) and macroconidia (hyaline, cylindrical, straight and/or slightly curved with one, two or three septa (n = 60) (12.5) 26.5 to 38.5 (44.1) × (4) 5.5 to 7.5 (8.5) μm) were observed. Culture and conidial morphology were in concordance with previous published description of Ilyonectria macrodidyma (Halleen, Schroers & Crous) P. Chaverri & C. Salgado (1,3,4). Identification to species level was confirmed by sequence comparison of four Californian isolates (UCCE958, UCCE959, UCCE960, and UCCE961) with sequences available in GenBank using the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) of the rDNA (primers ITS1/ITS4), a portion of the β-tubulin gene (BT1a/BT1b), and a partial sequence of the mitochondrial small subunit rDNA (NMS1/NMS2) (4). Fungal sequences of isolates from olive from California (GenBank JQ868543 to JQ868554) showed 99 to 100% homology with previously identified and deposited I. macrodidyma isolates in Genbank for all three genes. Pathogenicity of I. macrodidyma in olive cvs. Arbequina, Arbosan, and Koroneiki was investigated using two fungal isolates (UCCE958 and UCCE960) as reported by Petit and Gubler (4). The roots of 10 1-year-old trees per fungal isolate for each olive cultivar were individually inoculated with 25 ml of a 106 conidia/ml spore suspension and placed in a lath house at the UC Davis field station. Additionally, 10 trees per cultivar were inoculated with sterile water as controls. Six months after inoculation, most of the inoculated olive plants showed chlorotic leaves similar to those observed in commercial orchards. Root necrosis for each cv. was expressed as the percentage of root length having lesions (2). No significant difference was observed between isolates and average root necrosis was 29.4, 35.6, and 38.3% in Koroniki, Arbosana, and Arbequina, respectiveley. I. macrodidyma was recovered from symptomatic roots in each of the cvs. and identified based on morphology. No root rot symptoms were observed in the controls. To our knowledge, this is the first report of I. macrodidyma causing root rot of olive trees not only in California but anywhere in the world. References: (1) P. Chaverri et al. Stud. Mycol. 68:57, 2011. (2) M. Giovanetti and B. Mosse. New Phytol. 84:489, 1980. (3) F. Halleen et al. Stud. Mycol. 50:421, 2004. (4) E. Petit and W. D. Gubler. Plant Dis. 89:1051, 2005.

scholarly journals Phytophthora palmivora: A New Pathogen of Olive Trees in Morocco

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 130-135
Author(s):  
Mohamed Chliyeh ◽  
Amina Ouazzani Touhami ◽  
Abdelkarim Filali-Maltouf ◽  
Cherkaoui El Modafar ◽  
Abdelmajid Moukhli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Root Rot ◽  
Olive Tree ◽  
Phytophthora Palmivora ◽  
Old Field ◽  
First Report ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Wild Olive ◽  
Olive Trees ◽  
Crown Dieback ◽  
Responsible Pathogen

In spring of 2012, olive-trees with crown dieback, root rot and defoliation were observed in two years old olive tree in commercial plantations of tree nurseries in Sidi Taibi and in twenty to fifty years old field trees in Souk El Arbaa olive crops in Northwest of Morocco (Gharb area). The objective of this study was to isolate the responsible pathogen of the observed symptoms to the olive trees, to demonstrate its pathogenicity and fulfill the Koch´s postulate. Phytophthora palmivora was consistently isolated from roots (56%) and stems (73.6%) of the young olive trees and 85% from stems of field trees. Koch’s postulate was completed using two isolates of Phytophthora palmivora on 2-year old plants of Dahbia and Haouzia varieties grafted onto wild olive-trees. The affected branches percentages (Pab%) of the inoculated olive plants with the isolate 1 were higher (81.8% for Dahbia and 68% for Haouzia) than those what were inoculated with the isolate 2 (43% for Dahbia and 32% for Haouzia). The reisolation percentages (Pr%) of isolate 1 (84%) and isolate 2 (76%) in the roots of Dahbia variety were higher than isolate 1 (48%) and isolate 2 (55%) in roots of Haouzia variety. The reisolation percentage of isolate 1 in the stem of Dahbia (64%) was higher than that in the stem of Haouzia (41.33%). No significant difference was observed between the Reisolation percentages of isolate 2 in stem of Dahbia olive plants (38%) and in stem of Haouzia olive plants (33%). The pathogenicity of P. palmivora was demonstrated in the olive plants and this was the first report of this pathogen in Moroccan olive trees.

scholarly journals First Report of Fusarium commune Causing Damping-off, Seed Rot, and Seedling Root Rot on Soybean (Glycine max) in the United States

Plant Disease ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 284-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. Ellis ◽  
M. M. Díaz Arias ◽  
D. R. Cruz Jimenez ◽  
G. P. Munkvold ◽  
L. F. Leandro
Keyword(s):  
Root Rot ◽  
Petri Dish ◽  
The United States ◽  
Small Subunit ◽  
Ordinal Scale ◽  
Morphological Identification ◽  
Single Spore ◽  
First Report ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Seed Rot

During 2007 to 2009, symptomatic and asymptomatic soybean plants were collected from fields in 18 Iowa counties. Fusarium isolates were recovered from surface-sterilized root tissue on peptone PCNB agar (2). Single-spore isolates were transferred to synthetic low nutrient agar (SNA) overlain with pieces (1 × 2 cm) of sterile filter paper, and to potato dextrose agar (PDA), and placed in the dark for 10 to 14 days for morphological identification (4). Twenty-three isolates were identified as Fusarium commune K. Skovg., O'Donnell & Nirenberg, previously in the F. oxysporum species complex (4). Colonies on PDA had white, fluffy, aerial mycelium with magenta to violet pigmentation in the medium. On SNA, macroconidia, chlamydospores, and microconidia on monophialides and polyphialides were consistent with the species description (4). Identification of all 23 isolates was confirmed by DNA sequencing of the translation elongation factor (EF1-α) gene, using ef1 and ef2 primers, and the mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU), using primers MS1 and MS2 (4) [GenBank accessions for two representative isolates: EF1-α (JX289892 and JX289893), and mtSSU (JX289894 and, JX289895)]. Pathogenicity of two representative isolates of F. commune was tested on soybean (cv. AG2403) in a greenhouse, in water baths set at 18°C, using autoclaved soil mixed with infested sand-cornmeal inoculum (3). The experiment entailed a completely randomized design (CRD) with five replications (single plant/150 ml cone) per treatment, and was conducted three times. Dry root and shoot weights, and root rot severity (visual estimate of percent root rot on the entire root system) were evaluated after 6 weeks. Mean seedling emergence in soil infested with F. commune was 47 and 40% for the two isolates; in contrast, non-inoculated control plants had 100% emergence. There were significant differences in root (P < 0.0001) and shoot (P < 0.0001) weights, and root rot severity (P < 0.0001), between inoculated and non-inoculated plants. Seedlings that emerged were severely stunted and had dark brown lesions. F. commune was reisolated from infected roots of inoculated plants, but not from non-inoculated plants. Pathogenicity of both isolates to soybean (cv. MN1805) was also tested using a petri dish assay, in which eight seeds were placed on a plate with a 4-day-old culture growing on 2% water agar (1). Plates were rated 7 days later for seed germination, seed rot, and lesion development, using an ordinal scale (1). The experiment entailed a CRD with three replicate plates/treatment, and was conducted three times. Germination of inoculated seeds ranged from 37.5 to 75.0%, and germinated seedlings had dark brown lesions on the taproots. There was a significant difference between isolates in the petri dish assay (P = 0.0030); one isolate was less aggressive, but both isolates resulted in significantly more disease than on the non-inoculated control plants, which had 100% germination and no symptoms (P < 0.0001). F. oxysporum is a known soybean pathogen (1), but isolates of F. commune may have been misidentified as F. oxysporum in previous studies. To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. commune as a pathogen on soybean in the U.S.A. References: (1) K. E. Broders et al. Plant Dis. 91:727, 2007. (2) J. F. Leslie and B. A. Summerell. The Fusarium Laboratory Manual. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, UK, 2006. (3) G. P. Munkvold and J. K. O'Mara. Plant Dis. 86:143, 2002. (4) K. Skovgaard et al. Mycologia. 94:630, 2003.

scholarly journals First Report of Phytophthora megasperma and Pythium irregulare As Olive Tree Root Pathogens

Plant Disease ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 81 (10) ◽  
pp. 1216-1216 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. Sánchez-Hernández ◽  
A. Ruiz-Dávila ◽  
A. Trapero-Casas
Keyword(s):  
Root Rot ◽  
Olive Tree ◽  
The United States ◽  
Damping Off ◽  
Phytophthora Megasperma ◽  
Root Rots ◽  
Foliar Symptoms ◽  
Root Pathogens ◽  
Root Necrosis ◽  
Olive Trees

Several species of the genus Phytophthora are associated with root rot and trunk cankers in olive trees (Olea europaea L.). Among them, Phytophthora megasperma has been cited as being associated with olive root rots in Greece (1). Unidentified species of Pythium and Phytophthora have also been associated with olive tree root rots in the United States. However, the status of P. megasperma and Pythium spp. as olive tree root pathogens has remained unclear. Following a 5-year period of severe drought in southern Spain, autumn-winter rainfall rates in 1996 to 1997 steadily increased in both quantity and frequency. Under these unusually wet conditions, olive trees remained waterlogged for several months. During this period, we observed foliar wilting, dieback, and death of young trees, and later found extensive root necrosis. In 46 of 49 affected plantations surveyed, P. megasperma was consistently isolated from the rotted rootlets, particularly in young (<1- to 10-year-old trees) plantations. This fungus was not detected on plant material affected by damping-off from several Spanish olive tree nurseries. The opposite situation occurred with P. irregulare. This species was not associated with rotted rootlets in the field. In contrast, it was consistently isolated from necrotic rootlets from young olive plants affected by damping-off. These plants were grown in a sand-lime-peat soil mixture under greenhouse conditions and showed foliar wilting and extensive necrosis of the root systems. Pathogenicity tests were conducted with several isolates of P. megasperma and P. irregulare on 6-month-old rooted cuttings of olive, under both weekly watering and waterlogged conditions. Under waterlogged conditions, both fungal species produced extensive root necrosis 2 weeks after inoculation that resulted in wilting of the aerial parts and rapid plant death. Waterlogged control plants remained without foliar symptoms but a low degree of root necrosis was recorded. In addition, under weekly watering conditions, plants inoculated with either species showed some degree of root rot but foliar symptoms were not evident. No differences in pathogenicity were observed within the Phytophthora or Pythium isolates. Reference: (1) H. Kouyeas and A. Chitzanidis. Ann. Inst. Phytopathol. Benaki 8:175, 1968.

scholarly journals First Report of Dactylonectria torresensis Causing Foot and Root Rot of Olive Trees

Plant Disease ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 103 (4) ◽  
pp. 768-768 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Nigro ◽  
I. Antelmi ◽  
V. Sion ◽  
P. Parente ◽  
A. Pacifico
Keyword(s):  
Root Rot ◽  
First Report ◽  
Dactylonectria Torresensis ◽  
Olive Trees

scholarly journals First Report of Monosporascus cannonballus on Melon in Mexico

Plant Disease ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 96 (7) ◽  
pp. 1068-1068 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. I. Chew-Madinaveitia ◽  
A. Gaytán-Mascorro ◽  
T. Herrera-Pérez
Keyword(s):  
Citrullus Lanatus ◽  
The United States ◽  
Internal Transcribed Spacer Region ◽  
Oat Hulls ◽  
Monosporascus Cannonballus ◽  
First Report ◽  
The North ◽  
Root Necrosis ◽  
Vine Decline ◽  
Melon Seeds

In 2009, 2010, and 2011, melon plants (Cucumis melo L.) exhibited vine decline in commercial fields in the Municipality of Viesca, State of Coahuila, in the north-central region of Mexico known as La Comarca Lagunera. Symptoms included wilting, leaf yellowing, and vine collapse prior to harvest. Diseased plants showed necrotic root lesions and loss of secondary and tertiary roots. Numerous perithecia containing asci and ascospores typical of Monosporascus cannonballus Pollack & Uecker (3) were found in the root system. M. cannonballus is a typical fungus of hot semiarid climates such as La Comarca Lagunera in which daytime temperatures above 40°C are frequent during the melon growing season. Small root pieces were disinfected with 1.5% sodium hypochlorite for 1 min and plated onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium with 0.5 g l–1 streptomycin sulfate and incubated for 7 days at 25°C under dark conditions. The mycelium of the fungus colony was initially white, turning gray about 3 weeks later and yielding black perithecia with one ascospore per asci. The internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA of isolate 4 was sequenced and submitted to GenBank with Accession No. JQ51935. Pathogenicity of this isolate was confirmed on melon plants (cv. Cruiser) in the greenhouse at 25 to 32°C. Fungus inoculum was produced in a sand-oat hull medium (0.5 l of sand, 45 g of oat hulls, and 100 ml of distilled water), and incubated at 25°C for 50 days (1). Melon seeds were sown in sterile sand in 20-cm diameter and 12-cm depth polyurethane containers, and the inoculum was added to produce a concentration of 20 CFU g–1. Sowing was done in five inoculated containers and thinned to two plants per container, each container representing a replication. Plants were also grown in five noninoculated containers that were used as controls. After 50 days under greenhouse conditions, plants were evaluated for disease symptoms. Melon plants inoculated with M. cannonballus exhibited root necrosis as opposed to healthy roots observed in noninoculated plants. M. cannonballus was reisolated from symptomatic plants, confirming Koch's postulates. M. cannonballus causes root rot and vine decline on melon and has been reported in Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Libya, the Netherlands (plants from Russia), Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Taiwan, Tunisia, and the United States. M. cannonballus was reported in 1996 in southeastern Mexico in the State of Colima, where watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum.& Nakai) showed wilting and plant collapse prior to harvest (2). However, to our knowledge, this is the first report of M. cannonballus on melon in Mexico. This is relevant because La Comarca Lagunera region is one of the major melon producing areas in Mexico and M. cannonballus is a pathogen that may cause yield losses of up to 100%. References: (1) B. D. Bruton et al. Plant Dis. 84:907, 2000. (2) R. D. Martyn et al. Plant Dis. 80:1430, 1996. (3) F. G. Pollack and F. A. Uecker. Mycologia 66:346, 1974.

scholarly journals Pathogenicity, Fungicide Resistance, and Genetic Variability of Phytophthora rubi Isolates from Raspberry (Rubus idaeus) in the Western United States

Plant Disease ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 98 (12) ◽  
pp. 1702-1708 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane E. Stewart ◽  
Duncan Kroese ◽  
Javier F. Tabima ◽  
Meredith M. Larsen ◽  
Valerie J. Fieland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Root Rot ◽  
Fungicide Resistance ◽  
Phytophthora Species ◽  
Rubus Idaeus ◽  
Western United States ◽  
Internal Transcribed Spacer Region ◽  
Frequency Distributions ◽  
Soil Baiting ◽  
Significant Difference

Root rot of raspberry (Rubus idaeus), thought to be primarily caused by Phytophthora rubi, is an economically important disease in the western United States. The objectives of this study were to determine which Phytophthora species are involved in root rot, examine the efficacy of different isolation methods (cane, root, and root/soil baiting with young raspberry plants), and determine if pathogenicity, fungicide resistance, and/or genetic variation exists among P. rubi isolates collected from raspberry fields in Washington, Oregon, and California. Of 275 samples, direct isolation from cane material resulted in a greater number of P. rubi isolates (39%), whereas root/soil baiting yielded the least (11%). Sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region of 210 of the total 597 collected Phytophthora isolates showed that all but one isolate (identified as P. bisheria) were P. rubi. Results of the pathogenicity and fungicide resistance to mefenoxam comparing 14 total isolates from Washington, Oregon, and California showed that isolates were similarly virulent against red raspberry and the EC50 frequency distributions showed no significant difference. These results, combined with amplified fragment length polymorphism results show that P. rubi isolates from Washington, Oregon, and California represent one large mixed population. This work provides novel insights into the isolation and biology of P. rubi in western U.S. raspberry production systems.

scholarly journals First Report of Botryosphaeria obtusa as Causal Agent of Olive Tree Branch Dieback in Tunisia

Plant Disease ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 96 (6) ◽  
pp. 905-905 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Chattaoui ◽  
A. Rhouma ◽  
M. Msallem ◽  
M. Pérez ◽  
J. Moral ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Hypochlorite ◽  
Olive Tree ◽  
Fruit Rot ◽  
Fluorescent Light ◽  
Internal Transcribed Spacer Region ◽  
Canker Disease ◽  
First Report ◽  
Botryosphaeria Obtusa ◽  
Olive Trees ◽  
Branch Dieback

A branch dieback of olive trees (Olea europaea L. cv. Manzanilla de Sevilla) was observed in 2010 in an orchard (50 ha), located in the Testour region of northern Tunisia. More than 50% of trees were severely damaged by the disease. Symptomatic trees presented dead branches and wilted leaves, which remained attached to the shoots, and the affected tissues appeared abnormally dark compared with the inner bark of healthy branches. Numerous pycnidia were observed on the surface of the infected branches. For diagnosis, symptomatic stems were collected and small pieces of discolored tissues were excised from lesion margins, surface sterilized in 0.5% sodium hypochlorite for 1 min, rinsed and dried on sterilized filter paper, then placed on acidified Difco potato dextrose agar plates (APDA; 2.5 ml of 25% lactic acid per liter). Plates were incubated at 25°C for 4 to 5 days, and hyphal tips from developing fungal colonies were transferred to PDA and placed under fluorescent light (12 h/day). A fastgrowing, pycnidia-producing fungus was consistently isolated, with conidia exuding onto the agar surface of 10-day-old cultures. On the basis of colony characteristics, isolates were identified as Botryosphaeria obtusa (3). Conidia were large, dark brown, aseptate, rounded at both ends or truncate at base, and 25 to 26.8 × 10.5 to 12.03 μm. Pathogenicity tests were performed on detached stems of cv. Manzanilla by 7-mm diameter mycelial plugs cut from actively growing cultures of the fungus. Stems (30 cm length) were cleaned, surface sterilized with sodium hypochlorite (0.25% for 2 min), and wounded with a sterilized scalpel. Mycelial disks were placed over wounds and wrapped with Parafilm to prevent desiccation. Control stems were mock inoculated with sterile agar plugs. Inoculated and control stems were placed in polyethylene boxes and incubated at 25°C. After 45 days, inoculated stems developed brown discoloration, and small dark pycnidia appeared on stem surfaces. Controls remained healthy. Koch's postulates were verified by isolating the fungus from symptomatic stems. To confirm the identification, DNA of one isolate was extracted and the fungal primers ITS1 and ITS4 (4) were used to amplify the internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA. Purified amplicons were sequenced and a BLAST search of the GenBank database revealed 99% homology with B. obtusa isolate HO166525.1. The anamorph of the fungus, Diplodia seriata, has been recognized as the cause of fruit rot of olive (1) and branch canker or dieback (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of a canker disease of olive trees caused by B. obtusa in Tunisia. References: (1) J. Moral et al. Plant Dis. 92:311, 2008. (2) J. Moral et al. Phytopathology 100:1340, 2010. (3) A. Taylor et al. Australas. Plant Pathol. 34:187, 2005. (4) T. J. White et al. Page 315 in: PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications. Academic Press, San Diego, CA, 1990.

scholarly journals First Report of Cylindrocarpon destructans as a Root Pathogen of Mediterranean Quercus Species in Spain

Plant Disease ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 86 (6) ◽  
pp. 693-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. Sánchez ◽  
F. Lora ◽  
A. Trapero
Keyword(s):  
Root Rot ◽  
Peat Soil ◽  
Phytopathogenic Fungi ◽  
Potting Medium ◽  
Quercus Species ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Root Necrosis ◽  
Quercus Spp ◽  
Forest Nurseries ◽  
And Control

Cylindrocarpon spp. have been described as producing root rot in Quercus spp. in forest nurseries, mostly when the host plants were weakened (1). To our knowledge, this is the first description of root rot of Mediterranean Quercus (Q. ilex, Q. suber, and Q. faginea) seedlings caused by C. destructans. In spring 2000, heavy mortality of Quercus seedlings was recorded in a nursery in southeastern Spain. The affected plants were 9 months old and growing in the open air in fertilized peat. Symptoms consisted of browning and wilting of leaves, with extensive necrosis of feeder roots. C. destructans (macroconidia averaging 36 × 6 μm, 1 to 3 septate; microconidia 10 × 3 μm; chlamydospores rough, single, or in chains, averaging 9 μm in diameter) was consistently isolated from the necrotic rootlets. Pathogenicity of one isolate from Q. faginea and of a mixture of isolates from the three affected Quercus spp. was determined. Fungal isolates were grown on potato dextrose agar plates for 1 month to allow chlamydospore production, and the inocula were prepared by mixing the contents of three colonized plates with 125 ml of sterile water. Six replicates of 12-month-old Q. ilex and Q. suber seedlings were inoculated by mixing the inoculum from the three plates with the potting medium prior to planting the seedling. All inoculated and control plants (only water added) were grown in a sand-lime-peat soil mixture under greenhouse conditions and watered as needed. After 5 weeks, all the inoculated plants showed extensive root necrosis accompanied by crown symptoms and rapid plant death. No symptoms were evident in control plants, and they produced new rootlets. No significant difference in pathogenicity was noted between the single isolate compared with the mixture of isolates, and the Quercus species did not significantly differ in susceptibility to root rot. C. destructans was easily recovered from necrotic roots. Reference: (1) D. Brayford. Cylindrocarpon. Pages 103–106 In: Methods for Research on Soilborne Phytopathogenic Fungi. American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN, 1992.

scholarly journals First Report of Phytophthora acerina, P. pini, and P. plurivora Causing Root Rot and Sudden Death of Olive Trees in Italy

Plant Disease ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 996-996 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.T. Linaldeddu ◽  
C. Bregant ◽  
L. Montecchio ◽  
F. Favaron ◽  
L. Sella
Keyword(s):  
Sudden Death ◽  
Root Rot ◽  
First Report ◽  
Olive Trees

scholarly journals First Report of Stem Wilt and Root Rot of Schlumbergera truncata Caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Opuntiarum in Southern Italy

Plant Disease ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 97 (6) ◽  
pp. 846-846 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Lops ◽  
F. Cibelli ◽  
M. L. Raimondo ◽  
A. Carlucci
Keyword(s):  
Fusarium Oxysporum ◽  
Root Rot ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Nucleotide Sequences ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Conidial Suspension ◽  
Internal Transcribed Spacer Region ◽  
Fungal Isolation ◽  
First Report ◽  
Fusarium Sp

Schlumbergera truncata (Haw.) Moran, belonging to the Cactaceae, is a very common ornamental cactus in southern Italy. In November 2011, sudden stem wilt and root rot was observed in about 45% of vegetatively propagated plants cultivated as potted ornamental plants in a commercial greenhouse in Cerignola (Foggia Province, Apulia, Italy). The roots and collars of the plants showed brown rot. Yellow sunken lesions that were similar to cortical cankers were detected at basal level of the stem. Ten plants with these symptoms were analyzed by fungal isolation techniques. Small (0.5 cm) tissue portions from root, collar, and basal stem were plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) after disinfection with 75% ethanol for 1 to 2 min, 0.2% NaOCl for 1 to 2 min, and a wash with sterile distilled water. A fungal isolate that was morphologically similar to Fusarium sp. was isolated from 85% of these tissue samples. It had nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) of ribosomal DNA (GenBank Accession No. KC196121) 100% identical to those of the comparable sequences of Fusarium oxysporum (HQ651161). The nucleotide sequences of its translation elongation factor 1-α (EF-1α) gene (KC196120) showed 100% identity to sequences of F. oxysporum f. sp. opuntiarum (DQ837689, AF246881) retrieved from GenBank. Pathogenicity tests were performed at 22 ± 3°C on 18 45-day-old plants of S. truncate by adding of a 5-ml aliquot of conidial suspension adjusted to 5 × 106 conidia/ml to soil of each plant. Six non-inoculated plants were used for a control treatment and sprayed with 5 ml of sterilized water. Plants were maintained in greenhouse at 22 ± 3°C. After 10 days, nine of the inoculated plants showed wilting, and after 45 days, all of them were dead, with root and collar rot and lesions on the basal stem. Control plants were symptomless. Koch's postulates were fulfilled as the pathogen was reisolated from all of the symptomatic tissues and identified as Fusarium sp. On the basis of 3-septate macroconidia (mean 31.75 × 3.21 μm; range, 26 to 35 μm long, 3.0 to 4.2 μm wide), aseptate microconidia, single chlamydospores, and monophialide conidiophores on carnation leaf agar, and molecular analyses, the fungus was identified as F. oxysporum f. sp. opuntiarum (Speg) (1,2,3). In Italy, F. oxysporum f. sp. opuntiarum was reported as basal stem rot of Echinocactus grusoni (4). To our knowledge, this is the first report of stem wilt and root rot of S. truncata caused by F. oxysporum f. sp. opuntiarum in Italy. References: (1) W. Gerlach. Phytopathol. Z. 74:197, 1972. (2) W. L. Gordon. Can. J. Bot. 43:1309, 1965. (3) P. E. Nelson et al. Fusarium Species: An Illustrated Manual for Identification. Pennsylvania State University Press, University Park, 1983. (4) G. Polizzi et al. Plant Dis. 88:85, 2004.

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