Corticimorbus sinomyrti gen. et sp. nov. (Cryphonectriaceae) pathogenic to native Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Myrtaceae) in South China. (11th February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, S. F.; Wingfield, M. J.; Li, G. Q.; Liu, F. F.
• Is Part Of: Plant pathology. Volume 65:Number 8(2016)
• Page Start: 1254
• Page End: 1266
• Publication Date: 2016-02-11
• Subjects: canker pathogens -- forest tree pathogens -- Myrtales -- tree disease; Agricultural pests -- Periodicals; Plant diseases -- Periodicals; 632
• DOI: 10.1111/ppa.12507
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-0862

Abstract

Abstract : The Cryphonectriaceae includes many important tree pathogens, especially of the Myrtales. Disease surveys on Myrtales in South China revealed a stem canker disease on native Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Myrtaceae, Myrtales) trees in the proximity of Eucalyptus plantations in GuangXi Province and in a natural forestry area in the Hong Kong Region. Fruiting structures with typical characteristics of the Cryphonectriaceae were observed on the canker surfaces. The fungus was identified based on DNA sequence comparisons and morphological features, and its pathogenicity was tested on R. tomentosa under field conditions. DNA sequence comparisons for the partial large subunit, partial internal transcribed spacer nuclear ribosomal DNA, and two regions of the β ‐tubulin gene showed that the fungus represents a previously undescribed genus and species in the Cryphonectriaceae. Based on morphology, the fungus is most similar to species in the genus Chrysoporthe, but can be distinguished from this and the other genera of Cryphonectriaceae. The fungus provided with the name Corticimorbus sinomyrti gen. et sp. nov., is described. Field inoculations showed that it is highly pathogenic to R. tomentosa trees, with the ability to kill inoculated branches within 4 weeks. Pathogenicity tests also showed that C. sinomyrti is pathogenic to a tested Eucalyptus clone. Pathogenicity on both native R. tomentosa and non‐native Eucalyptus suggests that this fungus should be monitored carefully to limit its possible spread to commercially grown Eucalyptus in South China.