Potential Threat of Ceratocystis lukuohia on kiwifruit crop

Abstract

Abstract Ceratocystis wilt, caused by Ceratocystis fimbriata, is the most severe disease of the kiwifruit crop in Brazil and represents a threat to other kiwifruit-producing countries where the pathogen has not yet been reported infecting kiwifruit vines. Ceratocystis species have been reported in many countries, some are host specific, while others can infect a wide host range. Given the high impact of the disease on kiwifruit, evaluating whether Ceratocystis isolates from other hosts and countries can also infect kiwifruit is important for implementing biosecurity measures. In the present work, we evaluated if C. lukuohia and C. huliohia, isolated from ohia (Metrosideros polymorpha) in Hawaii are pathogenic to kiwifruit cultivars. Inoculations of both species in rooted cuttings of Monty and Gold3 cultivars showed that C. lukuohia can cause wilt in both kiwifruit cultivars evaluated, with high plant mortality. This is the first report that C. lukuohia can infect another host, demonstrating that it is not host-specific and extends its host range. In addition, considering that C. lukuohia is pathogenic and lethal in kiwifruit vines, kiwifruit-producing areas must implement biosecurity measures to prevent the introduction of this species.