Characterization and Pathogenicity of Botryosphaeriaceae Species Isolated from Almond Trees on the Island of Mallorca (Spain)

Abstract

In this study, 31 almond orchards with trees showing severe decline symptoms were surveyed from 2009 to 2014 on the island of Mallorca (Spain). In all, 45 Botryosphaeriaceae isolates were collected and characterized based on phenotypical features and comparisons of DNA sequence data of the nuclear ribosomal DNA-internal transcribed spacer region and elongation factor 1-α gene. Five species were identified as Diplodia olivarum, D. seriata, Neofusicoccum luteum, N. mediterraneum, and N. parvum. Pathogenicity tests were performed on four cultivars (‘Pons’, ‘Vivot’, ‘Jordi’, and ‘Ferragnes’) under field conditions for two consecutive years (2013 to 2014), and confirmed that all five species cause canker and dieback of almond, with Neofusicoccum spp. more virulent than Diplodia spp. in both years. Jordi was less sensitive to fungal infection in 2013. First reports from almond in Spain include N. mediterraneum and N. luteum.