Characterization and Pathogenicity of Botryosphaeriaceae Species Associated with Gummosis, Dieback, Trunk and Branch Cankers of Almond Trees in Türkiye

Abstract

Members of Botryosphaeriaceae family with 25 genera and several species are spread over a wide range of lands and climates worldwide. They cause gummosis, decline, dieback and blight on many woody plants. The purpose of present study was to diagnose the pathogens linked to the aforementioned symptoms on almond trees in seven orchards of Yozgat province (Türkiye) with a DSb type climate (Hot humid continental - Köppen Geiger system of climatic classification).These trees indicated and displayed dieback, gummosis trunk and branch canker symptoms. They were identified by cultural and morphological characteristics, and compared by phylogenetic sequencing of the ITS regions, EF-1α and β-tubulin genes with those of other species in GenBank (NCBI). Diplodia seriata, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Neofusicoccum parvum and Botryosphaeria dothidea were identified in 72 isolates based on the colony and conidial characteristics. Successful pathogenicity tests were carried out on two-year-old almond seedlings of cv: Ferredual using Koch’s postulates. The results validated the identification According to available literature on the subject, identification of B. dothidea was done for the first time on almond trees in Türkiye. Accurate identification, prevalence and incidence of the pathogens are crucial for developing effective disease management strategies to arrest disease outbreaks in Türkiye.

Keywords

• botryosphaeria
• cultural characteristics
• molecular identification
• prunus dulcis