New report of Biscogniauxia rosacearum as a pathogen on almond trees in Iran

Abstract

Biscogniauxia species are known as fungal trunk pathogens on various tree species in the world. During a survey of trunk diseases of fruit trees conducted in Iran, a branch dieback was observed on almond trees in Kerman province (in the Southeast of Iran). Evaluation of symptomatic branches revealed wood discoloration in cross-sections and the presence of fruiting bodies of an ascomycete fungus on their bark. A total of 31 fungal isolates were obtained, 13 isolates recovered from necrotic wood tissues and 18 isolates from fruiting bodies. These isolates were subjected to morphological analysis as well as sequencing analysis of the partial ITS-rDNA and beta tubulin gene sequences. These fungal isolates were identified as Biscogniauxia rosacearum. Results of the pathogenicity tests showed that this species is pathogenic on almond shoots. Based on our knowledge, this is the first report of this species on almond trees in Iran and in the world.