Neopestalotiopsis siciliana sp. nov. and N. rosae Causing Stem Lesion and Dieback on Avocado Plants in Italy.

ABSTRACT: Avocado (Persea americana) represents an important emerging tropical crop in Italy, especially in the southern regions. In this study, young plants of avocado showing symptoms of stem and wood lesion, and dieback, were investigated. Isolations from symptomatic tissues consistently yielded colonies of Neopestalotiopsis-like species. The characterization of representative isolates was based on the observation of morphological characters, the effect of temperature on mycelial growth rate, and on the sequencing of three different gene regions, specifically ITS, TEF1, and TUB2. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted based on maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood approaches. The results showed the presence of two species, viz. Neopestalotiopsis rosae and N.

SUBMITTER: Fiorenza A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9225166 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature