Abstract

Species of Botryosphaeriaceae are well known as endophytes and pathogens of woody plants world-wide. Beginning in 2008, a field survey was conducted to study species of Botryosphaeriaceae that occur on declining trees and shrubs of Mediterranean maquis on Caprera Island (Sardinia, Italy). Fungal isolates from symptomatic plants were identified on the basis of morphological features, as well as DNA-based techniques. Eight species were constantly isolated from diseased plants: Diplodia corticola, Diplodia seriata, Fusicoccum aesculi and Neofusicoccum parvum (from holm oak), Diplodia africana, Neofusiccocum australe and Neofusicoccum luteum (phoenicean juniper), Diplodia scrobiculata (strawberry tree). Pathogenicity of all fungal species was verified by stem inoculation on seedlings of the same hosts from which they were isolated, under controlled laboratory conditions. All fungal species, were shown to be pathogens. The results obtained emphasize that several species of Botryosphaeriaceae may represent a serious threat for Mediterranean trees and shrubs. In particular suggest that D. corticola is an important contributing factor in the onset of long-term oak decline. Moreover, our findings have contributed to improving the knowledge of D. africana and D. scrobiculata by expanding their host range that includes now phoenicean juniper and strawberry tree, respectively.

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