Work

A new disease of kumquat (Fortunella margarita) caused by Colletotrichum karsti: twig and branch dieback

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: Citrus fruit crops are important in many countries. Anthracnose, post bloom fruit drop, fruit stem-end rot, twig and branch dieback and gummosis, caused by Colletotrichum spp., are diseases that seriously threaten citrus production. Surveys of kumquat (Fortunella margarita) orchards were conducted in Eastern Sicily, Southern Italy, during 2022-23. Fungi isolated from twig and branch dieback of F. margarita were identified as Colletotrichum karsti through multi-locus (gapdh, tub2 and act) phylogeny. Pathogenicity and aggressiveness on detached apple fruit and kumquat plants were confirmed for a selection of representative isolates, although with different levels of disease incidence observed. This is the most comprehensive study on identification of C. karsti as the causal agent of twig and branch dieback of kumquat.

Source: Phytopathologia Mediterranea

DOI: 10.36253/phyto-14544

Authors: Giuseppa Rosaria LEONARDI, Dalia AIELLO, Gaetano CAMILLERI, Valeria PIATTINO, Giancarlo POLIZZI, Vladimiro GUARNACCIA

Institutions: University of Catania, University of Turin

Language: English

Topic: Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases

Subfield: Cell Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $808