Wilt and die‐back of Eucalyptus spp. caused by Erwinia psidii in Brazil

Abstract

SummaryA new disease of unknown bacterial aetiology has been observed in eucalyptus stands since 2009. It is characterized by die‐back, wilting and lesions on the branches, petiole and midrib in association with macroscopic and microscopic bacterial ooze. To date, this disease has been observed in stands of clonal Eucalyptus saligna, E. grandis and E. urophylla x E. grandis hybrids and in E. dunnii seedling plantations in the states of São Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul and Mato Grosso do Sul. Considering the economic importance of eucalyptus plantations and the potential losses caused by this disease, this study aimed to identify and characterize the causal agent. Thirty‐four strains were obtained from infected plants, which were collected in the field from four locations. The inoculation of detached leaves and intact rooted cuttings supported pathogenicity in eucalyptus. The phylogenetic analysis of four housekeeping genes (16S rDNA, gapA, recA and rpoB) as well as biochemical tests confirmed the identity of strains belonging to the species Erwinia psidii. This is the first report of E. psidii as the cause of wilt and die‐back in Eucalyptus spp. in Brazil.