Australasian Plant Pathology最新文献

In October 2019, root-knot nematodes (RKNs) were intercepted from the galled roots of lilyturf (Liriope spp.) seedlings from Costa Rica during an import plant quarantine inspection at Chubu Centrair International Airport, Japan. The intercepted RKN population was identified by morphological and molecular analyses as the guava root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne enterolobii Yang and Eisenback. The morphology and morphometrics of the intercepted RKN population were consistent with those of original and subsequent descriptions of M. enterolobii. The species identification was confirmed by sequence and phylogenetic analyses of the D2-D3 of 28S rRNA, mtDNA intergenic COII-16S rRNA, and the COI gene. We also confirmed the species identification via PCR using M. enterolobii species-specific primers. Although L. muscari cv. Evergreen Giant has been reported as a good host for M. enterolobii using an artificial inoculation test, to date no studies have reported natural infection of lilyturf by M. enterolobii. Therefore, this is the first report of natural infection of lilyturf by M. enterolobii.

Elsinoe masingae is a recently described fungal pathogen causing Eucalyptus scab and shoot malformation in South African plantations. Here we present the draft genome sequence of the ex-holotype isolate (CMW 58888 = CMW-IA 1800). Illumina paired-end sequencing generated approximately 24.6 million reads, yielding a 24.8 Mb assembly comprising 176 scaffolds with an N50 of 0.47 Mb and a GC content of 51.04%. BUSCO analysis using the dothideomycetes_odb10 dataset indicated 93.70% completeness, and funannotate predicted 8 883 protein-coding genes. Phylogenetic inference based on ITS, LSU, TEF1 and RPB2 sequences confirmed the identity of the sequenced isolate as E. masingae. The availability of this genome provides an essential resource for developing molecular tools to study the population diversity, epidemiology, and evolutionary history of E. masingae, and enables comparative analyses of pathogenicity and host adaptation among Elsinoe species affecting Eucalyptus and other crops.

During June–July 2024, brown leaf spot symptoms were observed on apricot trees (Prunus armeniaca L.) in Swat, Pakistan. The symptoms manifested as small, irregular, brown to tan necrotic lesions with distinct dark margins. Fungal isolation from infected leaves, followed by morphological characterization and multi-locus sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2), and large subunit (LSU) regions, revealed Epicoccum sorghinum as the causal pathogen. Pathogenicity tests were conducted in accordance with Koch’s postulates which confirmed that inoculated leaves developed symptoms identical to those observed in the field. This study represents the first report of E. sorghinum causing leaf spot disease in apricot, thereby expanding its known host range.

Fish berry (A. cocculus), a wild woody climber belonging to the Menispermaceae family, is widespread across India and Southeast Asia and holds significant medicinal value, being used in various traditional medicine systems to treat ailments such as fever and skin diseases. Recent research is investigating its pharmacological potential, particularly its antimicrobial, anticancer, and pesticidal properties. Through precise isolation, cultural and morphological characterization, supported by multigene phylogenetic analysis (ITS-GAPDH-TUB2) and pathogenicity tests, the pathogen associated with anthracnose of A. cocculus was identified as Colletotrichum gigasporum, a well-known phytopathogen. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of anthracnose caused by C. gigasporum on A. cocculus in India. This research highlights the correct identification of biotic threats posing negative impacts on medicinal plant A. cocculus, emphasizing the need for regular monitoring, research on epidemiology, and effective management of this disease to overcome its impacts by reducing productivity loss.

Graphical Abstract

Graphical Abstract of C. gigasporum causing anthracnose on A. cocculus.

Leaf rust caused by Uromyces aecidiiformis is reported on Persian lily (Fritillaria persica) from Markazi Province, Iran, and Western Asia for the first time. The rust is a destructive disease, with almost 100% incidence at the collection site. The fungus identity was confirmed by macro- and micro-morphological studies, as well as partial sequencing of the 28S subunit of the ribosomal DNA repeat.

Teak (Tectona grandis Linn. f.) is one of the most valuable and ecologically important tree species due to its high-quality timber and numerous industrial uses worldwide. During surveys conducted in February 2025, a new leaf blight disease of teak was observed in several plantations in Sylhet and the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. Isolates were constantly recovered from the necrotic areas of the leaves. Morphological and cultural features along with multi-gene phylogenetic analyses confirmed the identification of the pathogen as Colletotrichum siamense. Pathogenicity of the pathogen was confirmed on detached healthy leaves through artificial inoculations, fulfilling Koch’s postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. siamense causing leaf blight on T. grandis in Bangladesh.