Soil Fungal Diversity of the Aguarongo Andean Forest (Ecuador).

Fungi represent an essential component of ecosystems, functioning as decomposers and biotrophs, and they are one of the most diverse groups of Eukarya. In the tropics, many species are unknown. In this work, high-throughput DNA sequencing was used to discover the biodiversity of soil fungi in the Aguarongo forest reserve, one of the richest biodiversity hotspots in Ecuador.

Characterization and Pathogenicity of , , and Species Causing Botryosphaeria Canker and Dieback of Apple Trees in Central Chile.

In recent years, the number of apple trees affected by Botryosphaeria cankers and dieback has considerably increased in central Chile. This study aimed to identify the species of Botryosphaeriaceae associated with canker and dieback symptoms, estimate disease incidence and distributions, and study their pathogenicity and virulence on apple and other fruit crops. A field survey of 34 commercial orchards of apple (7 to 30 years old) was conducted in 16 localities, obtaining 270 symptomatic branch and trunk samples in 2017 and 2018 growing seasons.

Severe outbreak of Fusarium wilt on common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) caused by Fusarium oxysporum in the Maule Region, central Chile.

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important grain legume cultivated worldwide as food for humans and livestock (Schwartz et al., 2005).