Occurrence and pathogenicity of Neofusicoccum parvum and N. mangiferae on ornamental Tibouchina species

Abstract

Species in the Botryosphaeriaceae are important canker pathogens of woody plants, including Eucalyptus spp. The recent discovery of the Eucalyptus pathogen, Chrysoporthe austroafricana, on ornamental Tibouchina trees raised the question as to whether Tibouchina spp. might be alternative hosts for other Eucalyptus pathogens. Therefore, the aim of this study was to consider whether species of the Botryosphaeriaceae occurring on Eucalyptus spp. might also occur on ornamental Tibouchina spp. Isolations were made from Tibouchina trees in South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. Isolates were identified using morphological characteristics and DNA-based techniques. Neofusicoccum parvum and N. mangiferae were identified from the samples. Pathogenicity trials on T. urvilleana showed that both species are pathogenic to this host.