Abstract
During June 2018, several symptomatic fig (Ficus carica) cuttings, showing twig blight, subcortical discolouration and apical dieback were collected from a nursery in Catania province, Sicily (Italy). Isolations from diseased tissue consistently showed the presence of the same fungal colony. Morphology of the fungal isolates together with sequence data of the nuclear rDNA internal transcriber spacer (ITS) region, translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1) gene and partial beta-tubulin (tub2) gene of representatives isolates revealed the presence of the fungus Neofusicoccum parvum. Pathogenicity tests were conducted by inoculating fig cuttings with mycelial plugs. After 10 days, the inoculated plants developed cankers similar to those observed in the greenhouse and after 26 days all inoculated plants were dead. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report worldwide of N. parvum causing disease on this host.
Highlights
Fig (Ficus carica L.) is one of the most cultivated crop of the Mediterranean basin Countries
During June 2018, several symptomatic fig (Ficus carica) cuttings, showing twig blight, subcortical discolouration and apical dieback were collected from a nursery in Catania province, Sicily (Italy)
Isolations from diseased tissue consistently showed the presence of the same fungal colony
Summary
Fig (Ficus carica L.) is one of the most cultivated crop of the Mediterranean basin Countries. Several diseased caused by bacteria, viruses, oomycetes and fungi are reported for this crop throughout the world (Ferguson et al, 1990). There has been increased interest in “edible landscapes” and some woody ornamental plant genera or species are selected for attractive garden plants that have edible fruit. Small edible ornamental figs obtained from cutting are produced in Sicily both for aesthetic value as well as consumption. During June 2018, examination of 1,500 fig cuttings in an ornamental nursery in Catania province, Sicily (Italy), revealed that up to 20% of the plants showed canker and twig blight during the rooting step of the propagation process. The aim of this study was to identify the causal agent of canker and twig blight on fig in Sicily, Italy
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