Abstract
Several Botryosphaeriaceae species are known to occur worldwide, causing dieback, canker and fruit rot on various hosts. Surveys conducted in ten commercial citrus orchards in the northern region of Algeria revealed five species of Botryosphaeriaceae belonging to three genera associated with diseased trees. Morphological and cultural characteristics as well as phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1-α) identified Diplodia mutila, Diplodia seriata, Dothiorella viticola, Lasiodiplodia mediterranea and a novel species which is here described as Lasiodiplodia mithidjana sp. nov.. Of these, L. mithidjana (14.1% of the samples) and L. mediterranea (13% of the samples) were the most widespread and abundant species. Pathogenicity tests revealed that L. mediterranea and D. seriata were the most aggressive species on citrus shoots. This study highlights the importance of Botryosphaeriaceae species as agents of canker and dieback of citrus trees in Algeria.
Highlights
Citrus represent one of the main fruit crops in the world
The analysis of the 80 symptomatic sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) trees sampled to carry out the isolations, revealed the existence of 92 necrotic lesions in the trunks and the branches
They belonged to four types of wood alteration, including: wedge-shaped necrosis (WSN), that was the most prevalent lesion (n = 30) of the total samples collected
Summary
Citrus represent one of the main fruit crops in the world. They are widely recognized by their nutritional and health-related properties of both fresh fruit and juice. Being produced in more than 140 countries, citrus production reached more than 13 million Tonnes, in 2018 [1]. Despite the high adaptation capacity of citrus trees to different climates [3], a number of unfavourable factors has led to a decrease of the total citrus yield in Algeria. Among these factors, ageing trees, droughts, inappropriate cultural practices and the effects of various
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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 call
