First report of Neoscytalidium dimidiatum associated with dieback and canker of common fig (Ficus carica L.) in Turkey

In 2020, a canker disease with dieback of branches and decline of various fig trees in Şanlıurfa and Mardin provinces of Turkey was observed. The causal pathogen was identified as Neoscytalidium dimidiatum based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of ITS, tef1, and tub2 loci. Koch’s postulates were confirmed by successful re-isolation of N. dimidiatum only from plants inoculated with the pathogen. This is the first report of N. dimidiatum associated with dieback and canker of common fig in Turkey.