The taxonomy of the genus Colletotrichum has undergone tremendous changes over the last decade, with over 200 species being currently recognised and species complexes being informally used to cluster those species. Many of these species are important plant pathogens, some rather polyphagous and others host-specific, but several occur seldomly and some may in fact be ecologically endangered. Based mainly on literature from the past decade, in this work we review the occurrence, geographic distribution and host spectrum of currently recognised Colletotrichum species under phylogenetic, pathological/agronomic and ecological perspectives, providing a list arranged by Colletotrichum species and species complexes. A total of 257 species are listed and grouped into 15 species complexes. In this work we have recorded 1353 unique host species-Colletotrichum species association records from 720 hosts, with the Fabaceae as the family with higher number of hosts (52 host species) but with the Rosaceae as the family with the highest number of host species-Colletotrichum species association records (118 association records). According to occurrence data, 88 species are common in nature, 128 were considered as data deficient and 41 are threatened, some of which are likely extinct from nature and preserved only in culture collections. Several species are relevant plant pathogens, in some cases geographically confined and thus of potential quarantine relevance. Based on the major changes that occurred on Colletotrichum taxonomy over the last decade, this work provides a comprehensive overview of occurrence data of Colletotrichum species, compiling host range and geographical distribution, with relevance for plant pathology and conservation mycology. The current taxonomic framework in Colletotrichum is revealing numerous species but poses challenges to the employment of standard criteria for the evaluation of biological conservation of these fungi. We advocate that conservation mycology and taxonomy should find common routes simultaneously enabling the correct delimitation of species of Colletotrichum and the implementation of feasible criteria for the evaluation of conservation. The employment of new technologies, such whole genome sequencing (WGS), will help and support the description of new species and to gain a better understanding of the genetic bases of speciation processes.

Colletotrichum species and complexes: geographic distribution, host range and conservation status

In this study, 16 endophytes previously isolated from flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) stem tissue without causing any external symptoms, were screened for bioactivity against different root rot pathogens, Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Macrophomina phaseolina and three Phytophthora species. While most of the endophytessuppressed pathogen growth in dual culture and exhibited potential as biological control agents, one fungal endophyte A22F1, (Nigrospora sphaerica) was evaluated further in growth chamber and greenhouse experiments in which it markedly reduced Phytophthora capsici root rot on three pepper cultivars ‘California Wonder’, ‘Pepper Cayenne’ and ‘Numex Primarvera’. Thus, endophyte A22F1 has high potential as a biological control agent for P. capsiciin pepper. It’s in vitro bioactivity displayed against F. solani, F. oxysporum, and M. phaseolina requireadditional in vivo studies on susceptible hosts.

/pdf/screening-of-plant-endophytes-as-biological-control-agents-4rkl5ipn2y.pdf

Screening of Plant Endophytes as Biological Control Agents against Root Rot Pathogens of Pepper ( Capsicum annum L.)

Leaf spots are the most damaging and common foliar diseases of tea and are caused by several species of fungi. During 2018 to 2020, leaf spot diseases showing different symptoms (large and small spots) were observed in commercial tea plantations in Guizhou and Sichuan provinces of China. The pathogen causing the two different sized leaf spots was identified as the same species (Didymella segeticola) based on morphological characteristics, pathogenicity, and multilocus phylogenetic analysis using the combined ITS, TUB, LSU, and RPB2 gene regions. Microbial diversity analysis of lesion tissues from small spots on naturally infected tea leaves further confirmed Didymella to be present as the main pathogen. Results of sensory evaluation and quality-related metabolite analysis of tea shoots infected with the small leaf spot symptom indicated that D. segeticola negatively affected the quality and flavor of tea by changing the composition and content of caffeine, catechins, and amino acids. In addition, the significantly reduced amino acid derivatives in tea are confirmed to be positively associated with the enhanced bitter taste. The results improve our understanding of the pathogenicity of Didymella species and the influence of Didymella on the host plant, Camellia sinensis. 

Characteristics of Leaf Spot Disease Caused by Didymella Species and the Influence of Infection on Tea Quality

Secondary metabolites of the genus Nigrospora from terrestrial and marine habitats: Chemical diversity and biological activity.

Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) have been increasingly cultivated in Portugal. Although blueberry is known to be susceptible to twig blight and dieback caused by pestalotioid fungi, there is still scarce information regarding this issue. To bridge this gap, a survey on blueberry plantations in Portugal was carried out to assess the diversity of pestalotioid fungi associated with symptomatic blueberry plants. A collection of 51 fungal isolates was characterized by multilocus sequence analyses of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1-α) and β-tubulin (tub2). The phylogenetic analyses revealed the presence of Pestalotiopsis australis, P. biciliata, P. chamaeropis, Neopestalotiopsis rosae and three novel species described as Neopestalotiopsis scalabiensis, N. vaccinii and N. vacciniicola. The new species were fully characterized based on their morphology and temperature growth requirements. The pathogenicity trials carried out on cultivar “Duke” revealed that all isolates tested were pathogenic to blueberry plants, with N. rosae being the most aggressive species. This study provides the first report of P. chamaeropis, P. biciliata and P. australis associated with blueberry dieback and twig blight symptoms in Portugal and worldwide. Additionally, N. rosae is also newly reported from Portugal. This survey disclosed the occurrence of several pestalotioid species, which may represent a threat to Portuguese blueberry plantations.

Diversity and pathogenicity of pestalotioid fungi associated with blueberry plants in Portugal, with description of three novel species of Neopestalotiopsis

Gray blight, caused by Pestalotiopsis-like species, is one of the most serious diseases in tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze] production. In this study, eight Pestalotiopsis isolates obtained f...

Characterization of Pestalotiopsis chamaeropis causing gray blight disease on tea leaves (Camellia sinensis) in Chongqing, China

Leaf spot of Ligustrum japonicum caused by Diaporthe eres newly reported in China

Cryptomeria japonica D. Don is a coniferous tree species widely grown in southern China for its high ornamental value. Recently, during disease surveys in China, a symptom of dieback occurred on C. japonica in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China. A total of 130 trees were surveyed and more than 90% showed the same symptom. The crowns of affected trees were brown when viewing from a distance, and the bark showed no difference from the healthy ones. In this study, 157 isolates were isolated from the 3 affected plants of C. japonica, and based on the living culture on PDA, the fungal isolates were preliminarily divided into 6 groups. Thirteen representative isolates were selected for the pathogenicity test, and seven of them showed obvious pathogenicity on C. japonica, causing stem basal canker. These isolates were identified based on comparisons of the DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS), partial translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1), β-tubulin (tub2), and DNA-directed RNA polymerase II subunit (rpb2) and combined with their morphological characteristics. Results showed that these seven isolates belong to two taxa in Neofusicoccum, including a species new to science. The new species, Neofusicoccum cryptomeriae, was hereby described and illustrated. The other species was N. parvum. Both species were pathogens of stem basal canker of Cryptomeria japonica.

/pdf/neofusicoccum-cryptomeriae-sp-nov-and-n-parvum-cause-stem-3rg0xbin.pdf

Neofusicoccum cryptomeriae sp. nov. and N. parvum Cause Stem Basal Canker of Cryptomeria japonica in China

Viburnum odoratissimum Ker-Gawl is native to Asia and is usually used as a garden ornamental. In September 2022, a leaf blotch on V. odoratissimum was observed in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. The disease causes the leaves of the plants to curl and dry up and defoliate early. It not only seriously affects the growth of the plants but also greatly reduces the ornamental value. The pathogenic fungus was isolated from the diseased leaves, and the fungus was identified to be Colletotrichum siamense based on morphological features and multilocus phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, actin (ACT), calmodulin (CAL), beta-tubulin 2 (TUB2), chitin synthase (CHS-1), Apn2-Mat1-2 intergenic spacer and partial mating type (ApMat), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) genes. Pathogenicity tests were performed by inoculating healthy leaves with conidia. C. siamense can grow at 15-35 °C, with an optimal growth temperature at 25-30 °C. The results of sensitivity to nine fungicides showed that C. siamense was the most sensitive to prochloraz in the concentration range of 0.01 μg/mL to 100 μg/mL. Therefore, spraying prochloraz before the optimum growth temperature of pathogenic fungus can achieve effective control. It provided useful information for future studies on the prevention and treatment strategies of C. siamense. This is the first report of leaf blotch caused by C. siamense on V. odoratissimum in China and worldwide. 

Colletotrichum siamense, a Novel Causal Agent of Viburnum odoratissimum Leaf Blotch and Its Sensitivity to Fungicides

Celtis julianae Schneid. is widely planted as a versatile tree species with ecological and economic significance. In September 2022, a leaf blotch disease of C. julianae was observed in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China, with an infection incidence of 63%. The disease led to severe early defoliation, significantly affecting the ornamental and ecological value of the host tree. The accurate identification of pathogens is imperative to conducting further research and advancing disease control. Koch's postulates confirmed that the fungal isolates (B1-B9) were pathogenic to C. julianae. The morphology of the characteristics of the pathogen matched those of Alternaria spp. The internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), large subunit (LSU) and small subunit (SSU) regions of rRNA, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), Alternaria major allergen gene (Alt a 1), RNA polymerase second largest subunit (RPB2), and portions of translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1-α) genes were sequenced. Based on multi-locus phylogenetic analyses and morphology, the pathogenic fungi were identified as Alternaria arborescens and A. italica. The findings provided useful information for disease management and enhanced the understanding of Alternaria species diversity in China. This is the first report of A. arborescens and A. italica causing leaf blotch of C. julianae in China and worldwide.

Alternaria arborescens and A. italica Causing Leaf Blotch on Celtis julianae in China.

Handle everyday research tasks with reliable, citation-backed results

Your personal Research Agent to handle research tasks with citation-backed results

Popular Tasks used by Researchers

How can I help with your research?

Meet SciSpace

Get more enhanced response by uploading the PDFs you want me to reference.

No relevant PDFs in your library

SciSpace is the AI research assistant for academics. Run systematic literature reviews on 280M+ papers, and write papers with cited sources. Trusted by 1M+ students, PhDs & researchers.

SciSpace | AI for Research

Analyze PDFs

Code & Manuscripts

Funding & Grants

Literature & Patents

Medical & Clinical Data

Systematic Review

Visualize & Present

Web & Data

Build a Google Scholar-like website for your research.

Build a website

Create charts and images for your research

Create a Chart

Write a paper for submission to a journal

Draft a manuscript

Patent Search

Design eye-catching scientific posters in minutes.

Scientific Poster Generation

Systematic Literature Review

One task is running at the moment. Your messages will be shown right after.

Drag and drop or click here to browse

Loved by <highlight>1 million+</highlight> researchers

Extract a list of specific topics and their sources from unstructured text

Topics

Compare and analyze relevant papers that matches with your search

Papers

Get insights from PDFs and bookmarked papers from your library

My library

Recent searches

Try searching for:

Catch AI-generated content in scholarly and non-scholarly content

{ai} Detector

Ai Writer

Get PDF Summaries, highlighted text explanations 

Chat with PDF

Effortlessly create in-text citations and bibliographies in APA and 2,500 other formats

Citation generator

Get explanations, summaries, and answers on academic papers

Ease up your research workflow with {scispace}'s cohort of exciting AI tools

Elevate your academic writing skills and convey your ideas the way you want

Paraphraser

Explore our range of reading and writing tools

Your file is being prepared and should be ready in a few minutes. If it's a large file, it might take a bit longer. You can close this window, and we'll email you the file when it's done.

You have reached a maximum limit of {limit} columns in the table. Remove at least 1 column to add or create another one.

Yuhe Wan

Author Tools

Chat about Author