A Rapid qPCR for the Detection of MLST2 - A Highly Pathogenic Fungus on Kiwifruit.

A highly pathogenic fungus characterized as multilocus sequence type 2 (MLST2) is an emerging fungal pathogen causing Verticillium wilt on kiwifruit. Although MLST2 has not been reported outside Chile, there is a risk that this pathogen could spread through the global movement of germplasms to other countries. Current diagnostic methods for this fungus rely on a laborious and time-consuming plating assay for morphological identification and DNA sequence analysis.

First record of Bursaphelenchus hildegardae Braasch et al., 2006 (Nematoda) in New Zealand with updated information on morphology, sequencing and a key to species of the eggersi-group.

Bursaphelenchus hildegardae Braasch et al., 2006 was collected from pine wood (Pinus radiata) growing in Kaingaroa Timberlands, and a bark beetle, Hylastes ater Paykull, 1800 in New Zealand. This is a new record for B.

Australia: A Continent Without Native Powdery Mildews? The First Comprehensive Catalog Indicates Recent Introductions and Multiple Host Range Expansion Events, and Leads to the Re-discovery of as a New Lineage of the Erysiphales.

In contrast to Eurasia and North America, powdery mildews (Ascomycota, Erysiphales) are understudied in Australia. There are over 900 species known globally, with fewer than currently 60 recorded from Australia. Some of the Australian records are doubtful as the identifications were presumptive, being based on host plant-pathogen lists from overseas.

First record of the root knot nematode, in New Zealand with description, sequencing information and key to known species of in New Zealand.

Meloidogyne minor Karssen et al. 2004 was collected from perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) growing in a sports ground in Christchurch, New Zealand.