Identifying the distribution and causal pathogens of blueberry stem blight disease in Alabama and nearby states.

Botryosphaeria stem blight is a fungal disease of blueberry caused by members of the Botryosphaeriaceae family, which can lead to rapid wilting of leaves and stems, often resulting in significant yield loss and even plant death. Botryosphaeria stem blight is a major disease in Alabama, however, information on the distribution and causal pathogens for stem blight in Alabama is limited. This study surveyed blueberry farms in Alabama and nearby parts of Georgia and Mississippi to reveal the occurrence, species identities, and virulence of causal pathogens for Botryosphaeria stem blight.