Fungal trunk pathogens of fruit and nut tree crops: identification, characterization, detection and perspectives for a critical global issue.

Fungal trunk pathogens are a growing global issue, significantly affecting fruit and nut tree crop cultivation. These pathogens, mainly ascomycetes, belong to several families including Botryosphaeriaceae, Calosphaeriaceae, Cytosporaceae, Diaporthaceae, Diatrypaceae, Nectriaceae and Togniniaceae. The large number of species involved represent a challenge in clarifying the etiology of trunk diseases, further complicated by frequent co-infections of different fungi.

First report of nut rot caused by on almond in Italy.

Almond (Prunus dulcis) is an important nut crop widely grown in the Mediterranean region, including Italy. In September 2021, almonds cv. Tuono showing dark lesions affecting the hull were collected in Villar San Costanzo (Piedmont, Northwestern Italy).

Fungal Species Causing Canker and Wilt of and Evidence of Their Association by Bark Beetles in Italy.

Field surveys conducted during 2021 and 2022 in Western Sicily, Italy, revealed the presence of common fig trees severely affected by trunk and crown root canker and bark cracking. Moreover, in conjunction with the symptomatic tissues, the same surveyed plants showed the presence of bark beetle holes and internal wood galleries. The predominant beetle was previously reported attacking figs in Sicily.

Diversity and Pathogenicity of Species Associated with Stalk and Crown Rot in Maize in Northern Italy.

The genus includes several agronomically important and toxin-producing species that are distributed worldwide and can cause a wide range of diseases. Crown and stalk rot and grain infections are among the most severe symptoms that spp. can cause in maize.

Molecular Characterization and Pathogenicity of spp. Associated with Black Rot of Sweet Cherries in Italy.

Black rot is limiting the production of sweet cherries in Italy. Dark brown to black patches and sunken lesions on fruits are the most common symptoms of black rot on sweet cherry fruits. We isolated 180 spp.

Molecular Characterization and Pathogenicity of Species Causing Nut Rot of Hazelnut in Italy.

Hazelnut (), a nut crop that is rapidly expanding worldwide, is endangered by a rot. Nut rot results in hazelnut defects. A survey was conducted in northwestern Italy during 2020 and 2021 to identify the causal agents of hazelnut rots.

Characterization and Pathogenicity of Fungal Species Associated with Dieback of Apple Trees in Northern Italy.

Severe dieback symptoms were recently observed on apple () trees in Northern Italy, representing a growing concern for producers. Surveys were conducted over a 3-year period (2019 to 2021), and five apple orchards, from 5 to 12 years old, were monitored. A total of 33 fungal isolates isolated from symptomatic plants was selected for characterization.

First Report of causing leaf spots on strawberry in Italy.

Strawberry ( × Duch.) is widely cultivated in Italy. During May-June 2022, mild symptoms of an unknown leaf spot disease appeared on 5-10% of June-bearing strawberry (cv.

First report of Diaporthe eres causing stem blight and dieback on highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) in Italy.

Vaccinium corymbosum L. is a woody deciduous shrub belonging to the Ericaceae family. During the last decade, Northern Italy has become a major area for blueberry cultivation and production in Europe, supplying other countries with high quality fruit (FAOSTAT 2020).

Endophytic Associated with in China.

species are endophytes, pathogens, and saprobes with a wide host range worldwide. However, little is known about endophytic species associated with . In the present study, 48 endophytic isolates were obtained from cultivated in Deqing, Guangdong Province, China.

Impact of Calonectria Diseases on Ornamental Horticulture: Diagnosis and Control Strategies.

Diseases caused by fungi in the genus pose a significant threat to the ornamental horticulture industries in Europe and the United States. spp. are particularly challenging pathogens to manage in ornamental production systems and the urban landscape for multiple reasons.

First report of causing root and crown rot on maize in Italy.

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a cereal crop of great economic importance in Italy; production is currently of 62,587,469 t, with an area that covers 628,801 ha, concentrated in northern Italy (ISTAT 2020). Fusarium species are associated with root and crown rot causing failures in crop establishment under high soil moisture.

Calcium oxide, potassium phosphite and a Trichoderma enriched compost water suspension protect Capsicum annuum against Phytophthora capsici by priming the immune system.

Background: Proper management of Phytophthora capsici in pepper cultivation is extremely important, since Phytophthora blight is the main disease of this crop worldwide. In the past, the main strategy adopted had been the use of fungicides, causing, in some cases, the development of P. capsici resistant strains.

Genetic Diversity and Pathogenicity of Species Associated with Symptomatic Citrus Plants in Europe.

This study represents the first survey studying the occurrence, genetic diversity, and pathogenicity of Botryosphaeriaceae species associated with symptomatic citrus species in citrus-production areas in five European countries. Based on morphological features and phylogenetic analyses of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA), translation elongation factor 1-alpha () and β-tubulin () genes, nine species were identified as belonging to the genera , , and . Isolates of and were the most frequently detected, while had the widest distribution, occurring in four of the five countries sampled.

Presence of Powdery Mildew Caused by on Hazelnut () in Italy.

Hazelnut (Corylus avellana) is widely grown in Italy, which is the second largest producer worldwide with 132,700 tonnes harvested from 78,593 hectares (FAOSTAT, 2018 ). Powdery mildew caused by Phyllactinia guttata has been reported in Italy and in other European countries, but recently in Austria, Switzerland and in central Europe a new species was discovered (Voglmayr et al., 2020; Beenken, 2020).

Bedding Plant Production and the Challenge of Fungal Diseases.

Bedding plants are a major group of ornamentals produced in greenhouses or nurseries worldwide and planted outdoors. Their economic importance has increased continuously in the last four decades in both the United States and the European Union. These plants are subject to a broad number of diseases that can negatively impact their production and cultivation.

Phyllosticta citricarpa and sister species of global importance to Citrus.

Unlabelled: Several Phyllosticta species are known as pathogens of Citrus spp., and are responsible for various disease symptoms including leaf and fruit spots. One of the most important species is P.

sp. nov., the causal agent of pistachio cankers and decline in Italy.

A new canker and decline disease of pistachio () is described from Sicily (Italy). Observations of the disease and sampling of the causal agent started in spring 2010, in the area where this crop is typically cultivated, Bronte and Adrano (Catania province) and later extended to the Agrigento and Caltanissetta provinces. Isolations from the margins of twig, branch and stem cankers of declining plants resulted in fungal colonies with the same morphology.

High diversity of species associated with dieback diseases in China, with twelve new species described.

species have often been reported as important plant pathogens, saprobes and endophytes on a wide range of plant hosts. Although several species have been recorded in China, little is known about species able to infect forest trees. Therefore, extensive surveys were recently conducted in Beijing, Heilongjiang, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shaanxi and Zhejiang Provinces.

Emerging citrus diseases in Europe caused by species of .

Species of are considered important plant pathogens, saprobes, and endophytes on a wide range of plant hosts. Several species are well-known on citrus, either as agents of pre- or post-harvest infections, such as dieback, melanose and stem-end rot on fruit. In this study we explored the occurrence, diversity and pathogenicity of species associated with and allied genera in European orchards, nurseries, and gardens.

Tomato susceptibility to Fusarium crown and root rot: effect of grafting combination and proteomic analysis of tolerance expression in the rootstock.

Grafting can enhance the tolerance of vegetable crops to soilborne diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate whether different tomato scion-rootstock combinations may affect the plant susceptibility to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.

Emergence of Prochloraz-Resistant Populations of Calonectria pauciramosa and Calonectria polizzii in Ornamental Nurseries of Southern Italy.

Management of Calonectria spp. infections in nurseries requires scheduled fungicide applications, particularly with methyl benzimidazole carbamates (MBCs) and sterol demethylation inhibitors (DMIs). Due to rising concerns about the occurrence of MBC resistance in different Calonectria populations and variability in prochloraz efficacy in controlling these pathogens, a detailed study on prochloraz sensitivity distributions of Calonectria isolates belonging to the Calonectria scoparia complex was carried out.