LAUSR

This study follows a survey carried out in 2012 and 2013 on tomato and pepper crops in the Foggia province (southern Italy), for morphological, molecular and pathogenicity analyses of Plectosphaerella fungi. The Plectosphaerella genus includes several species that are pathogens of horticultural plants. The survey identified tomato and pepper crops that showed abundant wilt, leaf yellowing, and discoloration and necrosis of roots, plus collar and stem symptoms. Different fungi including Plectosphaerella spp. were isolated from symptomatic and asymptomatic tissues. Subsequent molecular and morphological studies identified first records of Pa. citrulli infecting tomato and pepper, and Pa. pauciseptata and Pa. ramiseptata infecting pepper. Pathogenicity testing confirmed that most isolated species of Plectosphaerella caused symptoms on tomato and pepper, with Pa. ramiseptata the most aggressive. On the basis of these data, we consider that Plectosphaerella species may cause ‘Stunting disease’ in tomato and pepper. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.