Grapevine decline in Italy caused by <em>Lasiodiplodia theobromae</em>

Abstract

The first report of a dieback of grapevine caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae in Sicily (Italy) is given. About twelve per cent of the vines in the cv. Insolia vineyard surveyed, showed spur dieback, retarded growth and wood necrosis. Isolation trials and pathogenicity tests are briefl y reported, together with morphological, cultural and molecular characters on which identification was based.