First report of Ceratocystis ficicola in Italy
Ceratocystis ficicola (EPPO Alert List) is reported from the first time in Italy. Up to now, in the EPPO region, it was only known from Greece (EPPO RS 2022/039). In September 2021, symptoms of a vascular wilt disease and, in severe cases, tree mortality of fig trees (Ficus carica) were observed near Salento (Puglia). Symptomatic plants showed leaf chlorosis, followed by wilting, extensive defoliation, and twig dieback. The main branches and the lower part of the trunk presented bark cracks and cankers. At cross sections extended wood discoloration was detected. Samples were taken in two orchards located in the municipalities of Salice Salentino and Squinzano where disease incidence exceeded 80%. Molecular tests (sequence analyses of rDNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS)) confirmed the presence of Ceratocystis ficicola.
The situation of Ceratocystis ficicola in Italy can be described as: Present, not widely distributed.
Sources
Habib W, Carlucci M, Manco L, Altamura G, Delle Donne AG, Nigro F (2023) First report of Ceratocystis ficicola causing wilt disease on common fig (Ficus carica) in Italy. Plant Disease (early view) https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-03-23-0464-PDN