Characterization of Pseudofusicoccum Species from Diseased Plantation-Grown Acacia mangium , Eucalyptus spp., and Pinus massoniana in Southern China.

Fungi from Pseudofusicoccum ( Phyllostictaceae, Botryosphaeriales ) have been reported as pathogens, endophytes, or saprophytes from various woody plants in different countries. Recently, Botryosphaeriales isolates were obtained from the dead twigs of Acacia mangium , Eucalyptus spp., Pinus massoniana , and Cunninghamia lanceolata in Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, and Fujian Provinces in southern China. This study aimed to understand the diversity, distribution, and virulence of these Pseudofusicoccum species on these trees. A total of 126 Pseudofusicoccum isolates were obtained, and the incidences of Pseudofusicoccum (percentage of trees that yielded Pseudofusicoccum ) on A . mangium , P . massoniana , Eucalyptus spp., and C. lanceolata were 21%, 2.6%, 0.5%, and 0%, respectively. Based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), translation elongation factor 1-alpha ( tef1 ), and β-tubulin ( tub2 ) loci, 75% of the total isolates were identified as P . kimberleyense , and the remaining isolates were identified as P . violaceum . For P . kimberleyense , the majority of isolates (83%) were from A . mangium , and the rest were from P . massoniana (14%) and Eucalyptus spp. (3%). Similarly, the proportion of isolates of P . violaceum from A . mangium , P . massoniana , and Eucalyptus spp. were 84%, 13%, and 3%, respectively. Inoculation trials showed that the two species produced expected lesions on the tested seedlings of A . mangium , E . urophylla × E . grandis , and P . elliottii . This study provides fundamental information on Pseudofusicoccum associated with diseases in main plantations in southern China.