New fungal pathogens recently detected on ornamental plants in Italy
Maria Lodovica Gullino: Agroinnova - University of Torino
<div>In the last five years, several host-fungal pathogen combinations were detected in ornamentals, for the first time in Italy. Infected plants were in farms, nurseries, private and public gardens in Northern Italy. The causal agents of the diseases were identified on the basis of both <em>in vitro </em>as well as <em>in vivo</em> morphological characteristics and molecular analysis. Koch’s postulates were fulfilled. Among the soil-borne pathogens, several Fusarium wilt agents were isolated from hosts belonging to Cactaceae, Crassulaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Lamiaceae and Asteraceae, while <em>Verticillium dahliae </em>and <em>V. nonalfalfae </em>were detected on <em>Phlox paniculata </em>and <em>Pelargonium grandiflorum</em>, respectively. <em>Rhizoctonia solani </em>was isolated from <em>Lavandula stoechas</em>, <em>Campanula </em>spp.<em>, </em><em>Lychnis coronaria</em> and <em>Rebutia perplexa</em>. Both <em>Sclerotinia sclerotiorum </em>and <em>Phytophthora cryptogea </em>were detected on species of Asteraceae and Lamiaceae. Among powdery mildews, <em>Golovinomyces magnicellulatus</em>, <em>G. </em><em>biocellatus </em>and <em>G. cichoracearum</em> were reported on <em>Phlox paniculata</em>, <em>Thymus </em>×<em> </em><em>citriodorus</em> “Aureus” and <em>Verbascum nigrum</em> “Album”, respectively. Among the causal agents of downy mildews, <em>Peronospora arthurii </em>on <em>Oenothera biennis </em>and <em>Plasmopara obducens</em> on <em>Impatiens walleriana</em> were detected. <em>Coleosporium campanulae</em> on <em>Campanula rapuncoloides</em>, <em>Entyloma gaillardianum </em>on <em>Gallardia aristata </em>and <em>G. × grandiflora </em>were identified. Several species belonging to different families, in particular Asteraceae and Lamiaceae, are new host for <em>Botrytis cinerea</em>. Leaf necrosis caused by <em>Alternaria</em> spp. were detected on<em> Campanula glomerata</em>, <em>Rudbeckia fulgida </em>and <em>Salvia leucantha</em>. Finally, <em>Pseudonectria buxi</em> was observed on <em>Buxus microphylla</em>.</div>
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