biostudies-literatureLi HNational Key R & D Program of ChinaNational Natural Science Foundation of China230https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10970983biostudies-literatureUnknown10(3)<i>Pinus massoniana</i> Lamb. is an important, common afforestation and timber tree species in China. Species of <i>Pestalotiopsis</i> are well-known pathogens of needle blight. In this study, the five representative strains were isolated from needle blight from needles of <i>Pi. massoniana</i> in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. Based on multi-locus phylogenetic analyses of the three genomic loci (ITS, <i>TEF1</i>, and <i>TUB2</i>), in conjunction with morphological characteristics, a new species, namely <i>Pestalotiopsis jiangsuensis</i> sp. nov., was described and reported. Pathogenicity tests revealed that the five representative strains of the species described above were pathogenic to <i>Pi. massoniana</i>. The study revealed the diversity of pathogenic species of needle blight on <i>Pi. massoniana</i>. This is the first report of needle blight caused by <i>P. jiangsuensis</i> on <i>Pi. massoniana</i> in China and worldwide. This provides useful information for future research on management strategies of this disease.Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)<i>Pestalotiopsis jiangsuensis</i> sp. nov. Causing Needle Blight on <i>Pinus massoniana</i> in China.PMC10970983319716592022YFD1401005Peng BYLi HZhu LHBai YQLi DWXie JYfalse<i>Pestalotiopsis jiangsuensis</i> sp. nov. Causing Needle Blight on <i>Pinus massoniana</i> in China.<i>Pinus massoniana</i> Lamb. is an important, common afforestation and timber tree species in China. Species of <i>Pestalotiopsis</i> are well-known pathogens of needle blight. In this study, the five representative strains were isolated from needle blight from needles of <i>Pi. massoniana</i> in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. Based on multi-locus phylogenetic analyses of the three genomic loci (ITS, <i>TEF1</i>, and <i>TUB2</i>), in conjunction with morphological characteristics, a new species, namely <i>Pestalotiopsis jiangsuensis</i> sp. nov., was described and reported. Pathogenicity tests revealed that the five representative strains of the species described above were pathogenic to <i>Pi. massoniana</i>. The study revealed the diversity of pathogenic species of needle blight on <i>Pi. massoniana</i>. This is the first report of needle blight caused by <i>P. jiangsuensis</i> on <i>Pi. massoniana</i> in China and worldwide. This provides useful information for future research on management strategies of this disease.2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Mar2025-04-21T21:27:36.777Z2025-04-05T18:24:46.789ZS-EPMC109709833853523810.3390/jof10030230