Microfungi Associated with Peach Branch Diseases in China.

Peach ( L.) is one of the most important and oldest stone fruits grown in China. Even though is one of the most commonly grown stone fruits in China, little is known about the biodiversity of microfungi associated with peach branch diseases. In the present study, samples were collected from a wide range of peach growing areas in China, and fungal pathogens associated with peach branch diseases were isolated. In total, 85 isolates were obtained and further classified into nine genera and 10 species. Most of the isolates belonged to (46), including , , , , and species; , , and species representing were also identified. Herein, we introduce and as novel species. In addition, we report the first records of , , and on peach worldwide, and , , and are the first records from China. This research is the first comprehensive investigation to explore the microfungi associated with peach branch disease in China. Future studies are necessary to understand the pathogenicity and disease epidemiology of these identified species.