First report of leaf spot caused by Neopestalotiopsis and Calonectria species on Areca ipot seedlings in Luzon, Philippines.

Areca ipot, a Philippine endemic species, is categorized as endangered primarily due to habitat loss. A severe outbreak of a new leaf spot disease was observed on A. ipot seedlings in a nursery. Morphological and molecular features of isolates from diseased samples were identified as Neopestalotiopsis sp. and Calonectria sp. The pathogenicity of the isolates was confirmed by fulfilling Koch's postulates. This is the first report of Neopestalotiopsis sp. and Calonectria sp. causing leaf spot on A. ipot in the Philippines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]