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Differentiation of a Fusicoccum sp. Causing Panicle and Shoot Blight on California Pistachio Trees from Botryosphaeria dothidea

A panicle and shoot blight disease of pistachio trees in California is caused by a fungus previously identified as the anamorph of Botryosphaeria dothidea. We have compared random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequences, and conidium morphology of 15 isolates of the pistachio Fusicoccum to those of well-characterized isolates of B. dothidea, B. ribis, and F. luteum. Cluster analysis of RAPD markers separated the pistachio Fusicoccum isolates from B. dothidea, as did parsimony analysis of the ITS region sequences. Conidium size and shape were similar to those of B. ribis (Fusicoccum sp.) and F. luteum, but distinguishable from those of F. aesculi (the anamorph of B. dothidea). We conclude that the fungus causing panicle and shoot blight of pistachio is distinguishable from B. dothidea and is part of a complex containing B. ribis, F. luteum, and other fungi with Fusicoccum anamorphs.