Abstract
AbstractFungi in the Cryphonectriaceae are important canker pathogens of woody shrubs and trees in the Melastomataceae and Myrtaceae (Myrtales). During 2021 disease surveys in KwaZulu‐Natal (South Africa) plantations, a serious stem canker disease was discovered on species of Eucalyptus and Corymbia. The cankers had structures on their surfaces typical of fungi in the Cryphonectriaceae. The aims of the study were to identify the fungus associated with the disease and to test its pathogenicity. Morphological characteristics of both sexual and asexual structures and phylogenetic analyses based on partial sequences of the conserved nuclear large subunit (LSU) ribosomal DNA, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions including the 5.8S gene of the ribosomal DNA operon, and two β‐tubulin (BT1/BT2) regions were used for identification purposes. Phylogenetic analyses of the sequence data and morphological characteristics supported the establishment of a new genus in the Cryphonectriaceae, for which the name Xanthoporthe myrticola gen. et sp. nov. is provided. Pathogenicity trials showed that isolates were pathogenic on tested Eucalyptus grandis and hybrids as well as Corymbia henryi. The results suggest that this is an emerging pathogen that could influence the sustainability of plantation forestry in South Africa.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
