Lasiodiplodia theobromae and L. pseudotheobromae causing leaf necrosis on Camellia sinensis in Fujian Province, China

Abstract

Camellia sinesis (tea) is an economically important crop in China, especially in Fujiang Province. Leaf necrosis symptoms were observed on C. sinensis in Fujian Province, China, during 2015. Initial symptoms were small brown, irregular lesions on young and mature leaves, which become necrotic with a brown margin. Isolations from diseased leaves yielded several pycnidial-forming fungi, including two Lasiodiplodia species which were characterized based on morphology and combined analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and translation elongation factor 1-α (tef) gene sequences. The isolates obtained from symptomatic leaves from C. sinensis were identified as Lasiodiplodia theobromae and L. pseudotheobromae. Pathogenicity of both species was demonstrated and symptoms which developed on inoculated C. sinensis leaves were similar to those observed on diseased plants in the field. This is the first report of L. theobromae and L. pseudotheobromae causing leaf necrosis on Camellia sinensis in China.