Abstract
The Chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) population in India is confined to the northern part of the country, which is continuously destroyed by natural (diseases/pests) and anthropogenic disturbances. Chestnut diseases like cankers and blight are mainly caused by fungi. Attempts were made to isolate the important fungal pathogen of chestnut trees. We isolated fungal isolates from samples of infected chestnut trees, which are confirmed as a new species of the genus Cytospora, family Valsaceae, with unique morphological and molecular characters. The initial identification of the fungus was based on morphological characters, and later confirmed by molecular studies. The phylogeny of the fungus was determined by rDNA-based phylogenetic markers ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacers) with the help of phylogenetic tools and were used for molecular identification and differentiation of the fungus. Phylogenetic analysis of the unknown fungus showed isolates reside in a clade separate from other species of genus Cytospora. Cytospora castanae sp. nov., therefore, is a new species of the genus Cytospora, witnessed by its morphological and molecular characters.
Published Version
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