Phytophthora cryptoea on Common Sage (Salvia officinalis L.) in Italy.

During the spring of 2013, many plants of common sage (Salvia officinalis L.), grown as potted plants in a commercial farm at Albenga (northern Italy) showed extensive symptoms of foliar wilt and root rot. The first symptoms developed with temperatures ranging between 8 and 26.

First Report of Web Blight on Rose Campion (Lychnis coronaria) Caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG 1-IB in Italy.

Lychnis coronaria (syn. Silene coronaria), rose campion, is a perennial in the Caryophyllaceae used in gardens. In the summer of 2014, a web blight was observed in a private garden located near Biella (northern Italy), approximately 45°39'N 8°00'E, on 40% of 100 5-month-old plants grown in sandy soil.

First Report of Dry and Soft Rot of Cereus marginatus var. cristata Caused by Fusarium oxysporum in Italy.

During the winter of 2013, 50% of 20,000 plants of Cereus marginatus var. cristata, Cactaceae family, grown in a commercial farm located in Liguria (northern Italy) showed symptoms of a dry or soft rot. In the case of dry rot, affected plants showed on the stem superficial necrosis and dry rot, irregularly shaped, 1 to 10 mm, while epidermal and cortical tissues were wounded.

First Report of Web Blight on Rebutia perplexa Caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG 2-2-IIIB in Italy.

Rebutia perplexa, Cactaceae family, is a clumping fine thorny cactus, producing several flushes of pink flowers. In the spring of 2013, a blight was observed in a farm located near Imperia (northern Italy) on 2% of 2,000 3-year-old plants, grown in plastic pots. Affected plants showed pale brown discoloration of stems, starting from the base, and eventually collapsed.