First report of Neofusicoccum mangiferae associated with grapevine dieback in China

Abstract

The Botryosphaeriaceae represents an important, cosmopolitan family of pathogens infecting woody plants. Grapevines (Vitis vinifera) suspected of being affected by Botryosphaeria dieback were collected from different Provinces of China and several Botryosphaeriaceae species were identified. This research was conducted to further study the species of Botryosphaeriaceae associated with grapevines in China and to estimate the prevalence and severity of the disease. Symptoms were characterized by partial or total death of grapevine cordons, with brown U-shaped necrotic sectors and brownish-black spots in cross-sections of affected trunks and arms. A fungus isolated from diseased vines in Henan and Anhui Provinces was identified as Neofusicoccum mangiferae on the basis of its morphological and cultural characteristics as well as an analysis of combined sequence data from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) cluster of the ribosomal DNA together with partial sequences of the β-tubulin (BT) and translation elongation factor (EF1-α) genes. Pathogenicity was assessed by inoculating the fungus onto detached green grapevine shoots under controlled laboratory conditions and mature wood of standing vines cv. Summer Black in a greenhouse. This is the first record of N. mangiferae associated with grapevine dieback in the world.