First report of Mycosphaerella dearnessii in the Republic of Korea
In March 2010, symptoms of needle blight were observed on several pine trees (Pinus thunbergii) near Naju, Republic of Korea. Further surveys in 2010 and 2011 showed that these symptoms were rather common but that the disease incidence was low (less than 1%). Morphological study of the fungus isolated from lesions revealed the presence of Lecanosticta acicola (anamorph of Mycosphaerella dearnessii - EPPO A2 List). The identity of the fungus was confirmed by molecular methods (sequencing) and pathogenicity tests. The teleomorph was not observed. This is the first time that M. dearnessii is reported from the Republic of Korea.
The situation of Mycosphaerella dearnessii in the Republic of Korea can be described as follows: Present, first found in 2010 on Pinus thunbergii near Naju (southern part of the country).
Sources
Seo ST, Park MJ, Park HJ, Shin HD (2012) First report of brown spot needle blight on Pinus thunbergii caused by Lecanosticta acicola in Korea. Plant Disease 96(6), p 914.