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Species within the genus Botryosphaeria include some of the most widespread and important pathogens of woody plants, and have been the focus of numerous taxonomic studies in recent years. It is currently accepted that anamorphs of Botryosphaeria belong to two distinct genera, Fusicoccum and Diplodia. Species within the genus Fusicoccum commonly produce aseptate, hyaline conidia. In the present study, fungi were isolated from foliage and wood of Eucalyptus in native forests and plantations in Australia. Although these fungi produced Dichomera anamorphs in culture, they clustered within the Fusicoccum clade of Botryosphaeria based on their ITS sequence data. Four species, Botryosphaeria dothidea, B. parva, B. ribis and B. australis produced Dichomera conidia in culture. The Dichomera synanamorphs are described for these four species of Botryosphaeria. In addition, falling within the Fusicoccum clade of Botryosphaeria, two species were found to be distinct from previously described Botryosphaeria spp. based on their ITS sequences, but synonymous with D. versiformis and D. eucalypti. These observations are currently unique to isolates from host trees within the genus Eucalyptus in Australia, and the pleoanamorphic nature of these species is discussed.

Botryosphaeria viticola sp. nov., isolated from pruned canes of Vitis vinifera in NE Spain, is described and illustrated. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS and EF1-alpha sequences and morphological characters of both anamorph and teleomorph confirmed this taxon to be included within the group of Botryosphaeria species with Dothiorella anamorphs. It is related most closely to B. sarmentorum and B. iberica from which it differs in morphological characters of the teleomorph and DNA sequences.

Panicle and shoot blight, caused by a Fusicoccum sp., is an economically important disease of pistachio in California. Between 1999 and 2001, the disease severity was monitored throughout the growing season in 10 pistachio orchards, irrigated with drip, microsprinklers, low-angled (12 degrees ) sprinklers, or flood. The effect of temperature, precipitation pattern, irrigation system, and incidence of Fusicoccum sp. latent infection on panicle and shoot blight severity was quantified with a generalized linear model for repeated measures. The number of continuous rainy days in April and May and the cumulative daily mean temperatures from June to early September had a significant positive effect on panicle and shoot blight of pistachio leaves and fruit. Drip irrigation significantly decreased disease risk. Other factors, such as the number of discontinuous rainy days in April and May, the cumulative deviation from the 30-year average temperature during the dry days of April and May, the incidence of latent infection (only on leaves), and irrigation with microsprinklers or lowangled (12 degrees ) sprinklers were weak explanatory variables of panicle and shoot blight severity. Knowledge of panicle and shoot blight risk may contribute significantly to decisions regarding the appropriate application of fungicides, especially in years or fields of low risk.

Pacific madrone (Arbutus menziesii) is a broadleaf evergreen tree native to western North America that has been in decline for the past 30 years. A fungus has been isolated and was verified as the cause of cankers on dying trees. It was determined to belong in the genus Fusicoccum, an asexual state of Botryosphaeria. This genus in both its sexual and asexual states commonly causes canker diseases of deciduous woody plants. Using morphological and molecular data the fungus causing cankers on Pacific madrone is characterized, described and illustrated as a new species of Fusicoccum, F. arbuti D.F. Farr & M. Elliott sp. nov. No sexual state is known for F. arbuti. Evidence from the literature, cultures and specimens suggests that F. arbuti, often mistakenly identified as Nattrassia mangiferae, has been causing madrone canker since at least 1968. Authentic isolates of Nattrassia mangiferae as the synanamorph Scytalidium dimidiatum were sequenced and determined to be different from Fusicoccum arbuti and to belong in Botryosphaeria/Fusicoccum. In addition to molecular sequence data, the morphology of the pycnidial and arthric conidial states of Nattrassia mangiferae/ Scytalidium dimidiatum resembles that of Fusicoccum. Therefore the correct name for Nattrassia mangiferae and its numerous synonyms (Dothiorella mangiferae, Torula dimidata, Scytilidium dimidiatum, Fusicoccum eucalypti, Hendersonula toruloidea, H. cypria, Exosporina fawcetii, H. agathidia, and S. lignicola) is Fusicoccum dimidiatum (Penz.) D.F. Farr, comb. nov.

Species of Botryosphaeria are among the most serious pathogens that affect mango trees and fruit. Several species occur on mangoes, and these are identified mainly on the morpholopy of the anamorphs. Common taxa include Dothiorella dominicana, D. mangiferae (= Natrassia mangiferae), D. aromatica and an unidentified species, Dothiorella 'long'. The genus name Dothiorella, however, is acknowledged as a synonym of Diplodia. This study aimed to characterize and name the Botryosphaeria spp. associated with disease symptoms on mangoes. To achieve this isolates representing all four Dothiorella slip. mentioned above were compared with the anamorphs of known Botryosphaeria spp., based on conidial morphology and DNA sequence data. Two genomic regions were analyzed, namely the ITS rDNA and beta-tubulin regions. The morphological and molecular results confirmed that the fungi previously identified front mango as species of Dothiorella belong to Fusicoccum. Dothiorella dominicana isolates were identical to isolates of F. parvum (teleomorph = B. Parva). A new epithet, namely F. mangiferum, is proposed for isolates previously treated as D. maugiferae or N. maugiferae. Isolates of D. aromatica were identified as F. aesculi (telcomorph = B. dothidea). A fourth Fusicoccum sp. also was identified as those isolates previously known as Dothiorella 'long'. A key is provided to distinguish these species based on anamorph morphology in culture. This study provides a basis for the identification of Botryosphaeria species front mango, which is important for disease control and to uphold quarantine regulations.

Samples of ripe fruit were taken at harvest from all eight commercial cranberry farms in Michigan over a 3-year period to determine the distribution and incidence of fruit rot diseases and the fungal pathogens associated with rotted fruit. Totals of 23, 33, and 28 beds were sampled in 1999, 2000, and 2001, respectively. Fruit rot incidence varied widely among beds and farms and ranged from 5 to 97% (mean 33.4%) in 1999, 1 to 91% (mean 26.3%) in 2000, and 1 to 67% (mean 12.8%) in 2001. Differences in fruit rot incidence were observed among cultivars, but rankings differed among farms. In general, cultivars Ben Lear, Bergman, and Pilgrim tended to have lower and Beckwith and WSU61 higher fruit rot incidence than other cultivars grown in the same location. Colletotrichum acutatum, Pestalotia vaccinii, and Phyllosticta vaccinii were the fungi most frequently recovered from rotted fruit. Fusicoccum putrefaciens, Phomopsis vaccinii, Physalospora vaccinii, Allantophomopsis lycopodina, Coleophoma empetri, and Botrytis cinerea were isolated occasionally in 1999. The isolation frequency of Physalospora vaccinii, Phomopsis vaccinii, and C. empetri increased markedly in 2000. Glomerella cingulata was first detected in 2001. Fusicoccum putrefaciens was most common in the northern and Glomerella cingulata in the southern growing areas. A comparison of sound and rotted fruit from selected beds showed that Phyllosticta elongata predominated in sound fruit, whereas G. cingulata predominated in rotted fruit.

Botryosphaeria panicle and shoot blight of pistachio, caused by Fusicoccum sp. is a destructive disease in California. In this study, a pair of group-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers BDI and BDII, was developed for identification of Fusicoccum sp. from pistachio and other hosts in California based on the sequences of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. The primers amplified a 356-bp DNA fragment for all 73 tested isolates of Fusicoccum sp. collected from pistachio and other hosts throughout California in different years, but not for the other 33 fungal species isolated from pistachio and the eight isolates of Fusicoccum sp. obtained from pistachio trees in Greece. The PCR assay using this pair of primers was sensitive enough to detect 5 pg of genomic DNA of Fusicoccum sp. A simple DNA extraction procedure was developed that led to the rapid identification of Fusicoccum sp. from pistachio and other host plants in California.

Our search for new polar fusicoccins biosynthetically related to fusicoccin A from the culture filtrate of isolate Niigata 2-A of a peach Fusicoccum canker fungus resulted in the isolation of new fusicoccins named fusicoccins P and Q, and 3-epifusicoccins H and Q, together with 3'-deacetylfusicoccin A and 16-O-demethyl-3-epifusicoccin J. The structures of fusicoccins P and Q, and of 3-epifusicoccin Q were determined to be those of deisopentenylfusicoccin J, 12alpha-hydroxyfusicoccin H and 12alpha-hydroxy-3-epifusicoccin H, respectively, by NMR spectrometry and chemical derivation from known fusicoccins. 3-Epifusicoccin H was identified by comparing its 400 MHz NMR spectra with those of fusicoccin H. The lettuce seed germination-stimulating activity of these new fusicoccins was examined in the presence of ABA: fusicoccin P was highly active, while 3-epifusicoccins H and Q were slightly active, and fusicoccins H and Q were almost inactive. Possible biosynthetic pathways incorporating these new fusicoccins and 3-epifusicoccins from geranylgeranyl diphosphate to 3'-deacetlyfusicoccin A and 16-O-demethyl-3-epifusicoccin J are discussed.

Smith, D. R., Michailides, T. J., and Stanosz, G. R. 2001. Differentiation of a Fusicoccum sp. causing panicle and shoot blight on California pistachio trees from Botryosphaeria dothidea. Plant Dis. 85:1235-1240. A panicle and shoot blight disease of pistachio trees in California is caused by a fungus previously identified as the anamorph of Botryosphaeria dothidea. We have compared random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequences, and conidium morphology of 15 isolates of the pistachio Fusicoccum to those of well-characterized isolates of B. dothidea, B. ribis, and F. luteum. Cluster analysis of RAPD markers separated the pistachio Fusicoccum isolates from B. dothidea, as did parsimony analysis of the ITS region sequences. Conidium size and shape were similar to those of B. ribis (Fusicoccum sp.) and F. luteum, but distinguishable from those of F. aesculi (the anamorph of B. dothidea). We conclude that the fungus causing panicle and shoot blight of pistachio is distinguishable from B. dothidea and is part of a complex containing B. ribis, F. luteum, and other fungi with Fusicoccum anamorphs. Additional keywords: Botryosphaeria ribis, Fusicoccum aesculi, Fusicoccum luteum, Pistacia vera

Summary Thirty-one fungi, members of Ascomycota and Deuteromycota, were isolated from cones/seeds of 28 hosts (Pinus spp.) originating from East Asia, Europe and North America, and growing at the Montreal Botanical Garden, Canada. A total of 21 taxa of these isolated fungi are considered pathogens. The damage severity was most prevalent on Diploxylon pines of European provenance (Pinus nigra, Pinus mugo and Pinus sylvestris), and one indigenous North American species (Pinus albicaulis). Twelve fungi occurred on different hosts, i.e. Sphaeropsis sapinea (12), Herpotrichia juniperi (8), Truncatella hartigii (7), Ceuthospora sp. (5), Fusarium, spp. (5), Pestalotiopsis funerea (3), Phomopsis sp. (3), Valsa spp. (anamorph. Cytospora) (3), Diaporthe sp. (3), Fusicoccum sp. (2) and Sirococcus strobilinus (2). Sphaeropsis sapinea, Herpotrichia juniperi, Phomopsis conorum, Truncatella hartigii, Tubercularia sp. and Valsa spp. were related to high cone and seed damage. For the most frequently observed Sphaeropsis sapinea damage, the subgenus Haploxylon was less susceptible than Diploxylon, and P. sylvestris less than P. nigra and P. mugo. Pinus resinosa showed more tolerance to S. sapinea. Truncatella hartigii was more frequently associated with necrotic lesions on cones/seeds in comparison with Pestalotiopsis funerea. The results are discussed in the context of arboretum, seed orchard, nursery and quarantine management.

Feeding experiments of (+)-[19-2H2]fusicocca-2,10(14)-diene, a deuterated derivative of a new candidate for the initially-forming fusicoccane-hydrocarbon in the fusicoccin biosynthesis, with the fusicoccin-producing fungus Phomopsis (Fusicoccum) amygdali have revealed its incorporation into fusicoccins J and A through (+)-fusicocca-2,10(14)-dien-8β-ol, whose occurrence in the mycelial extract has been confirmed by direct comparison of its 1H NMR and GC–MS data with those of the synthetic sample, proving the early biosynthetic route leading to the aglycons of fusicoccins.

Phyllachora proteae is a well known leaf pathogen of Protea spp. In the present study this fun- gus was recollected from several genera and species of Proteaceae in the Western Cape province of South Africa, and its taxonomy was reassessed. Single asco- spore cultures produced a Fusicoccum anamorph in culture, described here as F proteae. A microconidial synanamorph with narrowly ellipsoidal, brown, thick- walled conidia was commonly associated with F pro- teae in culture. Based on its bitunicate asci, as well as pseudothecial and ascospore morphology, a new combination for P proteae is proposed in Botryos- phaeria, as B. proteae.

The causal fungus of peach Fusicoccum canker in Japan had been identified as a species in the genus Fusicoccum. However, isolates from the canker of peach in Niigata had phialidic conidiogenous cells and produced beta conidia in vitro, which are typical in the genus Phomopsis. Comparative studies of the Niigata isolates and an French isolate of Phomopsis amygdali (synonym: Fusicoccum amygdali) in morphology of colony and conidia, pathogenicity to peach shoots revealed that these isolates are identical and belong to the same species. W- and G-type isolates from peach Phomopsis rot in Japan had alpha conidia similar to the Niigata isolates, but isolates of neither type caused symptoms of peach Fusicoccum canker in inoculation tests. It was concluded that the causal fungus of peach Fusicoccum canker is not a Fusicoccum but Phomopsis amygdali (Delacroix) Tuset et Portilla.

Seven hundred and eighty two isolates corresponding to 52 fungal taxa have been obtained from 920 segments of healthy and symptomatic twigs of Eucalyptus grandis, incubated on media with water potential — 0.138 MPa and — 4.19 MPa. Only thirty taxa were isolated at frequencies of 2% and greater. The composition of species isolated from bark of healthy twigs incubated on media with both water potentials was similar, with Aureobasidium pullulans being dominant. Sistrotrema brikmannii was the main species isolated from xylem of healthy twigs at — 0.138 MPa whereas Pleospora sp. and Sphaeropsis eucalyptus were the dominant species isolated from this material on medium at — 4.19 MPa. Fusicoccum eucalypti and Cytospora chrysosperma were most commonly isolated from bark and xylem of symptomatic twigs. Correspondence analysis showed the fungal species associated with each tissue. Summer drought followed by frequent frost in early autumn may have incited wounds allowing fungal invasion of the bark of twigs.

Botryosphaeria mamane sp. nov. occurs on the leguminous forest species Sophora chrysophylla in Hawaii. Inoculation did not demonstrate a causal re- lationship, but the fungus is consistently associated with branch contortions, swellings, witches'-brooms, and eventual death of tissue. Similar to B. ribis, the prominently stromatic fungus is characterized by a Fusicoccum anamorph. Microconidia are also pro- duced. The fungus was readily cultured vegetatively on potato dextrose agar, but produced only micro- conidiomata abundantly. The new species is distin- guished from B. ribis morphologically in having larg- er macroconidia, asci and ascospores, but also by its association with a symptom unusual for Botryosphaer- ia and its apparent limitation to an endemic host in Hawaii, suggesting that the fungus itself may be en- demic.

In this paper we give an account of the genera and species in the Botryosphaeriaceae. We consider morphological characters alone as inadequate to define genera or identify species, given the confusion it has repeatedly introduced in the past, their variation during development, and inevitable overlap as representation grows. Thus it seems likely that all of the older taxa linked to the Botryosphaeriaceae, and for which cultures or DNA sequence data are not available, cannot be linked to the species in this family that are known from culture. Such older taxa will have to be disregarded for future use unless they are epitypified. We therefore focus this paper on the 17 genera that can now be recognised phylogenetically, which concentrates on the species that are presently known from culture. Included is a historical overview of the family, the morphological features that define the genera and species and detailed descriptions of the 17 genera and 110 species. Keys to the genera and species are also provided. Phylogenetic relationships of the genera are given in a multi-locus tree based on combined SSU, ITS, LSU, EF1-alpha and beta-tubulin sequences. The morphological descriptions are supplemented by phylogenetic trees (ITS alone or ITS + EF1-alpha) for the species in each genus. TAXONOMIC NOVELTIES: New species - Neofusicoccum batangarum Begoude, Jol. Roux & Slippers. New combinations - Botryosphaeria fabicerciana (S.F. Chen, D. Pavlic, M.J. Wingf. & X.D. Zhou) A.J.L. Phillips & A. Alves, Botryosphaeria ramosa (Pavlic, T.I. Burgess, M.J. Wingf.) A.J.L. Phillips & A. Alves, Cophinforma atrovirens (Mehl & Slippers) A. Alves & A.J.L. Phillips, Cophinforma mamane (D.E. Gardner) A.J.L. Phillips & A. Alves, Dothiorella pretoriensis (Jami, Gryzenh., Slippers & M.J. Wingf.) Abdollahz. & A.J.L. Phillips, Dothiorella thailandica (D.Q. Dai., J.K. Liu & K.D. Hyde) Abdollahz., A.J.L. Phillips & A. Alves, Dothiorella uruguayensis (C.A. Perez, Blanchette, Slippers & M.J. Wingf.) Abdollahz. & A.J.L. Phillips, Lasiodiplodia lignicola (Ariyawansa, J.K. Liu & K.D. Hyde) A.J.L. Phillips, A. Alves & Abdollahz., Neoscytalidium hyalinum (C.K. Campb. & J.L. Mulder) A.J.L. Phillips, Groenewald & Crous, Sphaeropsis citrigena (A.J.L. Phillips, P.R. Johnst. & Pennycook) A.J.L. Phillips & A. Alves, Sphaeropsis eucalypticola (Doilom, J.K. Liu, & K.D. Hyde) A.J.L. Phillips, Sphaeropsis porosa (Van Niekerk & Crous) A.J.L. Phillips & A. Alves. Epitypification (basionym) - Sphaeria sapinea Fries. Neotypifications (basionyms) - Botryodiplodia theobromae Pat., Physalospora agaves Henn, Sphaeria atrovirens var. visci Alb. & Schwein.

We report the development of eight sets of microsatellite markers for the ascomycete fungus and tree pathogen, Botryosphaeria parva . The primers were identified after cloning and sequencing of fragments amplified using simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers. Genome walking was used to determine unknown sequences on either side of new SSRs. The primers were tested and proved useful in nine other Botryosphaeria species that all have Fusicoccum anamorphs, similar to B. parva .

Incorporation experiments with [Me-2H3]methionine, [1-13C]- and [1,2-13C2]- acetate showed that the methyl groups of xanthofusin are derived from methionine, and the remaining carbon atoms are derived from three intact acetate units. Incorporation of 13C-labelled 1,3-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethylbenzene shows that this is a probable intermediate. Three possible pathways are discussed, namely a triketide origin of xanthofusin, a route via a tetraketide but with loss of the starter unit and, finally, a route including a triketide with a malonate starter unit.

Objective: The potential compound of taxol has been used treatment of cancer in the medical field. This study is focused on the extraction of taxolfrom Fusicoccum sp.Methods: The pathogenic strain was grown in MID medium for the taxol production and extracted from the Fusicoccum culture filtrate and processedto the ultraviolet (UV)-spectroscopy analysis as well as infrared (IR) spectra analysis was done, and the sample was performed to the high-performancecolumn chromatography and further processed to the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis of specific primer is PGFO1, PGFO2 areperformed.Results: UV-visible spectral analysis showed maximum value for 273 nm. The result of IR-spectrum analysis to find out the functional groups presentin sample and characteristic peak to conform the existences of OH group. The presence of taxol was confirmed using column chromatography.An analysis of taxol production was on the external standard of authentic taxol. The column chromatography process shows the amount of taxolproduction by Fusicoccum spp. 325 µg/L. RAPD analysis indicates the genetic relation among all isolates of fungus was analyzed by two randomprimers PGF01 and PGF02.Conclusion: The present investigation revealed that the taxol production from biological source was a significant effect, and the presence of taxolamount is analysis in Fusicoccum sp. 325 µg/L. The RAPD analysis of genetic stability of in vitro grown fungus and genotypic with two differentprimers shows that five fungus species with corresponding primer efficiency was amplified.Keywords: Taxol production, Fusicoccum sp., Ultraviolet-spectroscopy, Infrared, Spectrum analysis, Scanning electron microscopy.

A new Botryosphaeria species (B. sinensia) is described and illustrated from China. It is characterized by erumpent, botryose clustered ascostromata, ostiolate ascomata, bitunicate, 8-spored and clavate asci, filiform, rarely branched pseudoparaphyses, hyaline, 1-celled, fusiform ascospores, and a Fusicoccum asexual morph. The hyaline old and discharged conidia with 1–2 septa, broader spermatia formed in the culture and smaller ascostroma readily distinguished it from B. dothidea and other species in Botryosphaeria. The intergenic spacer (ITS) and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1) DNA sequence analysis results also support its separation from other Botryosphaeria species. Its relationships with other species of Botryosphaeria are also discussed based on morphology and DNA sequence comparisons.

Species of Botryosphaeriaceae are important pathogens and endophytes associated with woody plants. Botryosphaeria and Neofusicoccum are two well known genera of the family. In this study 125 isolates morphologically resembling members of this family were collected from about 20 different fruit and forest trees in Iran. Based on morphology, MSP-PCR profile and DNA sequence data (ITS and tef1-a), four species were identified. Of these, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Neofusicoccum mediterraneum and N. parvum are known while Botryosphaeria scharifii is described here as new. N. mediterraneum is a new record for Iran and is reported here for the first time on mango trees. High diversity within Iranian population of N. parvum suggests the need to revise and reassess the morphological species description of N. parvum and closely related species.

Botryosphaeriaceae are important pathogens on a variety of woody hosts, including almond, a major crop in California. Almond is susceptible to Botryosphaeria dothidea that forms band cankers on almond trunks, and the same fungus was also isolated from cankers of the canopy. To study the diversity and host range of B. dothidea and allied species from almond we used 132 isolates from 36 plant hosts from five continents, including 45 strains from almond in California. Species were identified by comparison to 13 ex-type strains with phylogenetic analyses based on six loci, including the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene repeat and portions of the coding genes elongation factor 1-alpha, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, heat shock protein, histone-3 and beta-tubulin. Seven species were found from almond: Botryosphaeria dothidea, Neofusicoccum parvum, Neof. mediterraneum, Neof. nonquaesitum, Diplodia seriata and Macrophomina phaseolina were identified from band cankers, and B. dothidea, Neof. mediterraneum, Neof. parvum and Dothiorella sarmentorum from canopy cankers. All were capable of inducing cankers on inoculated almond branches in the field. All species found on almond also occurred on other hosts, suggesting that infected vegetation adjacent to almond orchards could serve as source of inoculum of virulent almond strains. Of the 19 monophyletic groups obtained at the species level, 13 contained ex-type strains, five were morphologically similar to established species and one was morphologically distinct from its closest relatives, Neof. andinum and Neof. arbuti, as well as from the more than 190 described species of Fusicoccum and Neofusicoccum, and thus was described as the new species, Neof. nonquaesitum. Evidence for cryptic speciation was found in B. dothidea, Neof. ribis and Spencermartinsia viticola. Botryosphaeria dothidea and Neof. ribis comprised lineages that formed the morphologically distinct Dichomera anamorph not found in any other isolates recognized as B. dothidea and Neof. ribis. An S. viticola isolate from California was phylogenetically divergent and had conidia that differed morphologically from the type. Neofusicoccum parvum was diverse but lacked any morphological features correlating with molecular diversity. Phylogenetic analyses of combinations of datasets showed that pooled analyses of all six datasets resulted in the highest number of supported branches, suggesting that addition of more data might yet improve phylogenetic resolution.

In this paper, the classification of five types of rubber leaf disease by using the spectrometer and SPSS are presented. There are five of leaf disease that have been used as samples which are Oidium secondary leaf fall, Fusicoccum Leaf Blight, Bird eye’s spot and Anthracnose. The reflectance of the infected leaves sample is measured by using MCS600 Carl Zeiss spectrometer. Besides, Aspect Plus, a universal spectroscopy program from Zeiss manages to measure the spectral regions of the leaves sample. Further analysis and justification are completed by using approximate statistical tools from SPSS. The results obtained show that there are strong evidences that these diseases can be discriminated from each other using a spectrometer.

The mango crop is one of the principal activities of Brazilian agribusiness, and it has grown steadily over recent years. Postharvest rots are responsible for great losses in fruit storage, with prominence to steam-end rot, caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Fusicoccum parvum. The objective of this work was to compare isolates of the species L. theobromae and F. parvum on the aggressivity, inoculum type, inoculation place and state of ripeness in cv. Tommy Atkins. The aggressivity test was carried out with five isolates of L. theobromae and 10 isolates of F. parvum. Isolates L2 and L5 of L. theobromae and isolates F6 and F10 belonging to the species F. parvum were considered the most aggressive. These isolates were tested in relation to the state of ripeness (2; 2,5; 3; 4 and 5), inoculum type (disc of PDA containing structures of the plant pathogens and conidia suspension - 105 conidium/mL) and inoculation place (peduncle region and equatorial area) on the mango. In general, the more mature the fruit, the greater the severity of the disease for isolates of the two plant pathogens, independent of the place of inoculation and the type of inoculum. In the earliest states of ripeness the smallest lesions were observed when inoculated with conidium suspension. As for the inoculation place, no marked influence was observed for the isolates of the plant pathogens studied

Botryosphaeriaceae are common dieback and canker pathogens of woody host plants, including stone fruit trees. In the present study the diversity of members of the Botryosphaeriaceae isolated from symptomatic wood of Prunus species (plum, peach, nectarine and apricot) was determined in stone fruit-growing areas in South Africa. Morphological and cultural characteristics as well as DNA sequence data (5.8S rDNA, ITS-1, ITS-2 and EF-1a) were used to identify known members and describe novel members of Botryosphaeriaceae. From the total number of wood samples collected (258) 67 isolates of Botryosphaeriaceae were obtained, from which eight species were identified. All species were associated with wood necrosis. Diplodia seriata (= "Botryosphaeria" obtusa) was dominant, and present on all four Prunus species sampled, followed by Neofusicoccum vitifusiforme and N. australe. First reports from Prunus spp. include N. vitifusiforme, Dothiorella viticola and Diplodia pinea. This is also the first report of D. mutila from South Africa. Two species are newly described, namely Lasiodiplodia plurivora sp. nov. from P. salicina and Diplodia africana sp. nov. from P. persica. All species, except Dothiorella viticola, caused lesions on green nectarine and/or plum shoots in a detached shoot pathogenicity assay.

Botryosphaeria spp. are common endophytes of woody plants, and they also include some serious pathogens of Eucalyptus and Acacia species. Numerous anamorphs have been associated with Botryosphaeria, of which the species Fusicoccum are amongst the most common. Here, we characterize two new Fusicoccum species, isolated from Eucalyptus and Acacia trees in Venezuela, based on morphological features in culture and comparisons of DNA sequence data. The two taxa named Fusicoccum andinum and F. stromaticum spp. nov, reside in two well-supported clades (BS values = 100%) based on a combined data set of the ITS of the rDNA operon and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1- alpha) gene sequences. The conidia of F. andinum are unusually large amongst Botryosphaeria anamorphs, and peripherally resemble those of B. mamane and B. melanops. F. stromaticum is characterized by large conidiomata in cultures, growth at 35 degrees C and slightly thickened conidial walls, which is different to most other Fusicoccum spp. No teleomorphs were observed for these fungi, but DNA sequence data show that they are anamorphs of Botryosphaeria.

The taxonomic position of the causal agent of fruit rot of olives was determined from fresh collections of the fungus from central Greece. In culture it formed two types of conidia, namely fusiform, hyaline, aseptate conidia typical of the genus Fusicoccum, and dark-walled, ovoid, ellipsoid or fusiform, 1-2 septate conidia that are not typically observed in Fusicoccum. A phylogenetic analysis based on ITS and EF1-alpha sequences placed the fungus within the same clade as Fusicoccum aesculi, which is the anamorph of Botryosphaeria dothidea, and the type of the genus Fusicoccum.

Botryosphaeria dothidea is one of the most commonly reported species in a genus of important pathogens of woody plants. This taxon generally is accepted to represent a species complex, and hence its identity remains unclear. Previous studies either have treated B. dothidea as the valid name for B. ribis and B. berengeriana or argued for them to be separate entities. To add to the confusion, no ex-type cultures are available for either B. dothidea or B. ribis. The aim of the present study, therefore, was to recollect and characterize these fungi and designate a set of reference cultures that can be used in future studies. To this end, morphological, cultural and multi-allelic DNA sequence datasets from the rDNA (ITS 1, 5.8S, and ITS 2), β-tubulin and EF1-α genes were used to fully characterize these species. Botryosphaeria dothidea was found to be distinct from B. ribis, while B. berengeriana was retained as synonym of the former name. Furthermore, Fusicoccum aesculi is accepted as anamorph of B. dothidea, while the anamorph of B. ribis is newly described as F. ribis sp. nov. Botryosphaeria ribis could be distinguished from B. parva based on β-tubulin and EF1-α sequence data. A combined phylogeny of the three gene regions used in this study also showed that the genus Botryosphaeria represents two distinct phylogenetic assemblages that correspond to species with Diplodia and Fusicoccum anamorphs.

Several species of Botr yosphaeria are known to occur on grapevines, causing a wide range of disorders including bud mortality, dieback, brown wood streaking and bunch rot. In this study the 11 Botryosphaeria spp. associated with grapevines growing in various parts of the world, but primarily in South Africa, are distinguished based on morphology, DNA sequences (ITS-1, 5.8S, ITS-2 and EF1-) and pathological data. Botryosphaeria australis, B. lutea, B. obtusa, B. parva, B. rhodina and a Diplodia sp. are confirmed from grapevines in South Africa, while Diplodia porosum, Fusicoccum viticlavatum and F. vitifusiforme are described as new. Although isolates of B. dothidea and B. stevensii are confirmed from grapevines in Portugal, neither of these species occurred in South Africa, nor were any isolates of B. ribis confirmed from grapevines. All grapevine isolates from Portugal, formerly presumed to be B. ribis, are identified as B. parva based on their EF1- equence data. From artificial inoculations on grapevine shoots, we conclude that B. australis, B. parva, B. ribis and B. stevensii are more virulent than the other species studied. The Diplodia sp. collected from grapevine canes is morphologically similar but phylogenetically distinct from D. sarmentorum. Diplodia sarmentorum is confirmed as anamorph of Otthia spiraeae, the type species of the genus Otthia (Botryosphaeriaceae). A culture identified as O. spiraeae clustered within Botryosphaeria and thus is regarded as probable synonym. These findings confirm earlier suggestions that the generic concept of Botryosphaeria should be expanded to include genera with septate ascospores and Diplodia anamorphs.

Vigor and growth habit. Trees of both ‘Antoneta’ and ‘Marta’ are very vigorous, similar to ‘Ferragnes’. The original trees, although originally grown close together with the other seedlings, had developed trunk diameters measuring 20 and 25 cm, respectively, after 13 years. ‘Marta’ is very erect with vigorous branches that are easily adapted to the Italian vase, with three or four primary branches. It produces very few lateral branches during the first years, leading to the development of thick, erect, primary scaffolds. The later development of lateral branches gives it a more balanced, not excessively dense appearance. ‘Antoneta’ is more open, with more lateral branches on the scaffolds during the first stages of growth, even on nonpinched primary branches. Concerning growth habit and branching, ‘Nonpareil’ is intermediate between ‘Antoneta’ and ‘Marta’. Productivity. The harsh conditions (cold with frequent frost) under which the evaluation was carried out made assessment of long-term productivity difficult. During years without frost, the yield was greater than that of commercial cultivars and other selections from the breeding program grown in the same orchard. In spite of the drought in 1999, the yield for ‘Antoneta’ and for ‘Marta’ was very high. Disease resistance. The climatic conditions of the area are favorable for brown rot (Monilia laxa Aderh.) and polystigma (Polystigma occhraceum Wahl.) Both cultivars had a greater resistance to brown rot than did ‘Ferragnes’. Resistance to polystigma was similar to that of other cultivars. Fusicoccum (Fusicoccum amygdali Del.) and rust (Tranzschelia pruni-spinosa Pers.) infections were rare for selections.

(+)-Fusicocca-2,10(14)-diene, isolated recently by the authors, is most likely a genuine hydrocarbon intermediate in the biosynthesis of fusicoccin, as its 8β-hydroxy derivative is smoothly and efficiently converted into fusicoccin J by the fusicoccin-producing fungus, Phomopsis (Fusicoccum) amygdali F6.

Worldwide 11 species of Botryosphaeria have been isolated from grapevines in association with a wide range of decline and dieback symptoms Currently there is little knowledge on what species are present in New Zealand A comprehensive survey was carried out during June to December 2007 to collect Botryosphaeria species from New Zealand vineyards More than 450 isolates including B parva B lutea B australis B stevensii B obtusa and B iberica were isolated from symptomatic material No correlation was observed between the species of Botryosphaeria and grapevine variety or age The highest incidence of Botryosphaeria species (977 ) was from Blenheim and lowest (164 ) was from Otago The most commonly isolated species was B parva followed by B stevensii Fusicoccum type Botryosphaeria species such as B parva and B lutea were more prevalent in the North Island and Diplodia type species including B stevensii and B obtusa dominated in the South Island It is likely that the Botryosphaeria species distribution in New Zealand is influenced by climatic conditions This information has implications for development of control strategies

The Parco Nord Milano, Italy is a 600-ha green area (45°53′71″N, 9°20′97″E). Since the spring of 2002, extensive and unknown decline was observed on 20-year-old sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), red oak (Quercus rubra), and English oak (Q. robur) plantations. The trees showed branch and twig dieback associated with bark cankering along the whole stem and an irregular to wilted crown. A closer inspection of the inner part of the symptomatic trunk and roots revealed a dark bluish tissue discoloration. From the symptomatic trunk and root tissue, a dark gray abundant mycelium was consistently isolated on potato dextrose agar (PDA). The sequenced internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of rDNA (GenBank Accession Nos. DQ198265, DQ198266, and DQ198267) showed 99% identity to Botryosphaeria dothidea strain CBS110302 (GenBank Accession No. AY259092). A Fusicoccum sp. with black pycnidia was consistently collected from the cankers. The conidia were hyaline, aseptate, fusiform to narrowly ellipsoidal, with a truncate base (22 × 4.5 μm), referred to as Fusicoccum aesculi (CBS identification), the anamorph of B. dothidea (2). Pathogenicity tests were conducted for all three hosts by stem inoculation on 18-month-old seedlings growing in plastic pots containing a 2:1 turf/sand mixture. Two experiments were conducted using two inoculation techniques. In the first trial, 6-mm-diameter mycelial plugs of B. dothidea were applied to 6-mm-long bark wounds. The same inoculation method was used for application to bark without wounding. Control seedlings were inoculated with sterile agar plugs in a similar fashion as above. Inoculated and control seedlings were kept in a growth chamber and watered once per week. In the second trial, segments of branches 15-cm long were inoculated with 6-mm-diameter B. dothidea plugs (1), with and without any wounding. Control segments of branches were treated with sterile agar plugs in place of fungal mycelium. The branches were incubated at 23°C in moist chambers. For both experiments, the inoculated stem portions were wrapped with Parafilm to prevent desiccation. There were three replicate seedlings per inoculation technique, experiment, and plant species. After 2 months, all seedlings showed bark cankers and pycnidial formation, while the controls were symptomless. An inner dark bluish stem tissue discoloration was observed. The symptoms were more abundant on the segment of branches where the inoculum was applied to the wounded bark. B. dothidea was successfully reisolated, confirming Koch's postulates. To our knowledge, although it is accepted as synonymous of B. berengeriana (2), this is the first report of B. dothidea on sycamore, red oak, and English oak in Italy. The fungus was previously reported in Italy to cause canker on Platanus spp. References: (1) M. E. Sanchez et al. Plant Dis. 87:1515, 2003. (2) B. Slippers et al. Mycologia 96:83, 2004.

Extensive mortality of European hop hornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia) has occurred in the western part of Slovenia, where this tree species is invading abandoned grassland. The Slovenian Forest Service first reported damage to hop hornbeam in 1997. The extent and intensity of the phenomenon depends on weather conditions. Thus, in a drought year (2003), the affected area covered 6800 ha with a 50% mortality of hop hornbeam; while in a wetter year (2004), mortality dropped to 35% with 133 ha affected. Bark necrosis is characteristic of the disease. It can develop in healing cankers, or the lesions may expand to include the whole trunk or branches of the tree, which consequently die. Mass occurrence of Botryosphaeria dothidea ascomata in winter and Fusicoccum aesculi conidiomata in the growing season have been observed regularly on the dead bark of hop hornbeam. Asci measured 80–98·5 (85·5) × 17–20 (18) µm; ascospores 14–34 (22) × 6–9·5 (8) µm; and conidia from culture 20·5–30 (25·5) × 4·5–7 (6) µm. Samples of conidiomata, ascomata and isolations from dead bark on malt extract agar (MEA) were deposited at the Herbarium of the Slovenian Forestry Institute (accession numbers 1508–1510). The pathogen had been reported previously as Botryosphaeria ribis (Jurc et al., 2003), but with new delineations in the taxonomy of the pathogen (Slippers et al., 2004) the true identity of the fungus has been unravelled. The sequences of the rDNA ITS region from pure cultures (GenBank accession numbers AJ938004 and AJ938005) share 99–100% similarity with several deposited sequences of B. dothidea isolates, indicating a clear identification. Inoculations of two isolates taken from the necrotic bark of hop hornbeam and isolated on MEA were performed in nature with six replications on hop hornbeam coppice shoots. The bark was removed with a cork borer (diameter 6 mm) and an agar plug was inserted (with mycelium facing towards the stem). The wound was covered with micropore tape. Control stems were inoculated with sterile agar plugs. After 1 year the average necrosis of inoculated stems was 6·7 cm long, while the controls had healed. A Fusicoccum anamorph was reisolated from the edge of the necrosis, fulfilling Koch's postulates. Botryosphaeria dothidea has a worldwide distribution and is capable of infecting numerous plant species. Its host range comprises mostly trees and shrubs, and even 70 years ago it was reported from 68 genera (Smith, 1934); the host range was later increased by an additional 17 genera (Hepting, 1971). In North America it occurs on Ostrya virginiana with saprobic activity (Hepting, 1971). It has been found on a fallen O. carpinifolia branch in Europe with no indication of its pathogenicity (Slippers et al., 2004). This is the first report of B. dothidea causing dieback of O. carpinifolia in epiphytotic dimensions in Slovenia.

Botryosphaeria spp. are common endophytes and canker pathogens of many woody plants including eucalypts. Eucalyptus globulus, a species endemic to eastern Australia, dominates the plantation industry in Western Australia. Plantations are often adjacent to remnant native eucalypt forest and each vegetation type (plantation or forest) could harbour pathogens to which the other has not been exposed. A survey of Botryosphaeria spp. associated with E. globulus and native Eucalyptus spp. in Western Australia revealed four distinct culture morphologies to be present among 147 isolates. Representative isolates of each type were characterised based upon morphological features and comparisons of a combined DNA dataset including the internal transcribed spacer, a part of the β-tubulin gene and part of the elongation factor 1α (EF-1α) gene. The majority of the isolates (95%) were Botryosphaeria australis. of the remaining isolates, one was Botryosphaeria parva, three were Dichomera eucalypti (an anamorph of an unknown Botryosphaeria sp.) and the remaining four isolates were identified as representative of a new species described here as Fusicoccum macroclavatum sp. nov. The new species resided alone in a well supported clade and differed morphologically from other Fusicoccum spp. by having large, predominantly elongate-clavate conidia. Fusicoccum macroclavatum sp. nov. was the most pathogenic of the four species, and its rare occurrence only on eucalypt species endemic to eastern Australia suggests that this species has been introduced to Western Australia.

Botryosphaeria lutea (anamorph Fusicoc- cum luteum) most easily is distinguished from other Botryosphaeria spp. by a yellow pigment that is formed in young cultures. This fungus has been re- ported from a number of cultivated hosts in New Zea- land and Portugal. During a survey of Botryosphaeria fungi that occur on native Acacia species in Australia, a yellow pigment was observed in some cultures. These isolates were morphologically similar to B. lu- tea, but the pigment differed slightly from the one formed by authentic B. lutea isolates. Preliminary data also revealed small differences in ITS rDNA se- quence data. The aim of this study was to determine whether these small differences were indicative of separate species or merely variations within B. lutea. Anamorph, teleomorph and culture morphology were compared between B. lutea and Acacia isolates from Australia. Sequence data of two other genome regions, namely the b-tubulin and EF1-a gene and intron regions, were combined with ITS rDNA se- quence data to determine the phylogenetic relation- ship between these isolates. Isolates of B. lutea and those from Australian Acacia species were not signif- icantly different in spore morphology. The yellow pigment, however, was much more distinct in cul- tures of B. lutea than in cultures from Acacia. There

Distance, parsimony and maximum likeli- hood analyses of sequence data from the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) and 5.8S rDNA were used to infer the phylogenetic relationships among Botryosphaeria species and associated anamor- phic fungi. The ingroup contained 52 isolates of 16 Botryosphaeria species and related taxa. A total of 6 outgroup species from putatively related families or orders were included in the analyses. Results indicate that the genus Botryosphaeria is not monophyletic, with B. vaccinii and Phyllosticta vaccinii not closely related to other fungi comprising this genus. The main group of Botryosphaeria species and related ana- morphic fungi contains two distinct clades: one with light-colored and narrow conidia and the other with dark-colored and broader conidia. Two sections, Hy- ala and Brunnea, were proposed to represent these two groups. Botryosphaeria ribis and B. dothidea are distinct. Diplodia pinea f. sp. cupressi is different from A and B RAPD marker groups of Sphaeropsis sapinea. Placement of a species within the form genera Sphaeropsis or Diplodia does not necessarily indicate a very close relationship with other taxa within that same genus. The name B. stevensii may have been applied to more than one species. Isolates under dif- ferent species names, such as those included in the cluster containing B. quercuum, might actually be the same species. Our study indicates that the genus Bo- tryosphaeria needs additional study and substantial taxonomic revision.

Differentiation of Botryosphaeria species with Fusicoccum anamorphs has depended on recog- nition of the anamorphs. This has resulted in some confusion in the taxonomy and our understanding of the pathology of these species because these ana- morphs are very similar morphologically and the characters used for differentiation can be influenced by the substrate. We have examined 89 isolates iden- tified by the collectors as B. dothidea (F aesculi), B. ribis (Fusicoccum sp.), B. parva (F. parvum), or F lu- teum. Cluster analysis of random amplified polymor- phic DNA (RAPD) marker data identified three dis- tinct groups, which we have designated Bd (probable B. dothidea), Br (probable B. ribis, but including iso- lates of B. parva), and Fl (probable E luteum). Anal- ysis of DNA sequence of the nuclear rDNA ITS re- gion from a subset of isolates from each group sup- ports these relationships. Measurement of conidia from a subset of isolates revealed statistically signifi- cant differences in shape that can be used to differ- entiate between conidia of the Bd group isolates and those of the other groups. Conidia of the Br and Fl group isolates, however, were similar. We conclude that B. dothidea can be differentiated from these oth- er fungi with Fusicoccum anamorphs by all three tech- niques.

Two morphologically similar fungi are as- sociated with canker and die-back of eucalypts in South Africa, one of which was identified as part of the Botryosphaeria dothidea-complex. In this study, the identity of the other fungus was determined by com- paring morphology, pathogenicity and DNA se- quence analysis of isolates of both taxa. Based on these results, a new species, Botryosphaeria eucalypto- rum, and its anamorph Fusicoccum eucalyptorum, are described. Although the teleomorph is morphologi- cally similar to other taxa in the B. dothidea-complex, conidial characteristics of the anamorph are distinct, as well as the sequences of the nrDNA internal tran- scribed spacers ITS1 and ITS2. Like B. dothidea, the fungus is pathogenic to Eucalyptus, although there do not appear to be clear differences in pathogenic- ity between these two species.

Anamorphs of 22 strains of botryosphaer- iaceous fungi including Fusicoccum spp., Diplodia spp., Sphaeropsis spp., and Lasiodiplodia theobromae (teleomorph = Botryosphaeria rhodina) were com- pared utilizing conidial characters, cultural morphol- ogy, growth rates and nucleotide sequences of the nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacers ITS 1 and ITS 2. The ITS data shared consensus with morpho- logical and cultural characters in separating 7 of the 22 strains. The 7 strains were placed into one of three groups that corresponded with the morphological species L. theobromae, S. sapinea, and F. luteum. Only partial consensus was achieved with the remaining 15 strains as ITS sometimes grouped together strains with uniform morphological and cultural characters and other times not. The ten Fusicoccum strains, iden- tified as anamorphs of B. dothidea or B. ribis, were divided into two ITS groups and up to five groups based on traditional characters. The two putative B. ribis strains were consistently grouped together and appear to represent a stable variant of B. dothidea.

Eight isolates of the Fusicoccum anamorph of Botryosphaeria ribis (six from Melaleuca quinque? nervia; two from Hhizophora mangle) were obtained from South Florida. Morphological characteristics of these isolates were studied on various culture media

The history of Hendersonula is briefly reviewed and three species are accepted. Fifteen are of uncertain or dubious identity, one is referred each to Fusicoccum, Sphaeropsis, Dothidella and Hendersoniopsis , and two to Seimatosporium . New combinations proposed include Hendersonula symploci (Berk. & Broome) comb.nov., Dichomera rhamnicola (Cooke) comb.nov., Dichomera conglobata (Sacc.) comb.nov. Toxosporiopsis macrosperma (Cavara) comb.nov. and Stilbospora meridionalis (D. Sacc.) comb.nov. Dichomera neorhamni nom.nov. is proposed for Camarosporium rhamni and the new generic name Nattrassia type species N. mangiferae (H. & P. Syd.) comb.nov. introduced for the fungus formerly known as Hendersonula toruloidea . The synanamorph of N. mangiferae is named Scytalidium dimidiatum (Penz.) comb.nov.

Stem canker of pigeon pea ( Cajanus cajan ) is reported from Fiji; this is the first report of the disease from the southwest Pacific area. The cause is Botryosphaeria xanthocephala (anamorph: Fusicoccum cajani (H. & P. Sydow & Butler) comb. nov.). This is the first report of a connexion between B. xanthocephala and F. cajani .

A comparative study was done in Spain of canker and withering of branches in almond and peach trees. Similar diseases of these fruit trees, described by several authors and attributed to Fusicoccum amygdali and Phomopsis amygdalina, suggests that these fungi are identical. Spanish isolates produced phialidic conidiogenous cells and occasionally β-conidia typical of the genus Phomopsis. A study of the type specimen of F. amygdali reveals that it also belongs in Phomopsis. Phomopsis amygdali (Del.) Tuset & Portilla comb.nov. is proposed to accommodate the fungus; Phomopsis amygdalina Canonaco is reduced to synonymy with it.

Botryosphaeria obtusa (Schw.) n. comb, and B. stevensii n. nom. occurring on cultivated grapes, and B. quercuum (Schw.) Sacc. and B. melanops (Tul.) Wint. on Quercus spp. are distinguished primarily by characteristics of their conidial states which are illustrated, described, and separated by a key. Canadian collections in the National Mycological Herbarium support the following host range and geographic distribution: B. quercuum on Quercus spp. in Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Ontario; B. melanops on Quercus spp. in Ontario; B. obtusa on Amelanchier, Crataegus, Juglans, Malus, Ribes, Sorbus, and Vitis spp. in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, and Saskatchewan; B. stevensii on Vitis sp. in Ontario.