Pathogenicity of a New Zealand grapevine isolate of <i>Neofusicoccum macroclavatum</i> on <i>Eucalyptus globulus</i>

Abstract

Neofusicoccum macroclavatum a recognised pathogen of Eucalyptus globulus in Western Australia was recently isolated for the first time from grapevines in New Zealand Its identity was confirmed by analysis of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) 946;tubulin gene and elongation factor 945;1 sequence analyses Previous pathogenicity studies of nursery isolates showed that this isolate (M353) was pathogenic to Sauvignon blanc 1yearold rooted canes and green shoots similar to other Botryosphaeriaceae pathogens of grapevines To further investigate its pathogenicity on eucalypts M353 was inoculated onto 1yearold seedlings of E globulus and shown to produce external stem lesions with a mean length of 29 mm that was significantly longer (P<0001) than those caused by N australe (17 mm) another common Botryosphaeriaceae pathogen of Eucalyptus in Australia This research demonstrates that the N macroclavatum isolated from grapevine is pathogenic to eucalypts