Erysiphe alphitoides causes powdery mildew on Eucalyptus gunnii

In June 2016, pot‐grown Eucalyptus gunnii plants showing typical symptoms of powdery mildew disease were found in a greenhouse in Korea. Morphological characteristics of the anamorph and molecular sequence analyses of the ITS regions and 28S rDNA verified the fungus as Erysiphe alphitoides, which is known as common and widespread powdery mildew on Quercus spp. Although E. alphitoides has been reportedly associated with powdery mildew diseases of tropical trees and shrubs other than Quercus spp., this is the first finding of E. alphitoides on a Eucalyptus tree worldwide.     

Erysiphe australiana: the cause of powdery mildew on Lagerstroemia speciosa in Brazil

Powdery mildew symptoms and signs were observed on seedlings of Lagerstroemia speciosa within an ornamental plant nursery in Viçosa, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Signs were most prominent as intense mycelial growth and sporulation on the shoots, new branches and leaves, which led to tissue necrosis. Based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of ITS and 28S rDNA sequences, the powdery mildew pathogen of L. speciosa was identified as Erysiphe australiana, a well‐known powdery mildew pathogen infecting Lagerstroemia spp. worldwide. To our knowledge, this is the first report of E. australiana causing powdery mildew on L. speciosa in Brazil.     

Molecular identification of the powdery mildew fungus infecting rubber trees in China

Powdery mildew is a foliar disease of rubber trees. It is one of the most important leaf diseases in rubber plantations worldwide. The causal agent of this powdery mildew, previously known as Oidium heveae, has been identified under various names. To precisely identify the causal agents of this disease, 57 conidial samples were collected from 2013 to 2017 in Hainan, Yunnan and Guangdong provinces, the main rubber tree planting regions in China. Based on morphological observations using light and scanning electron microscopy, pathogenicity testing, and nrDNA ITS and 28S sequences, Erysiphe quercicola is suggested as the only causal agent of rubber tree powdery mildew in China.     

PCR‐based identification of Erysiphe pulchra and Phyllactinia guttata from Cornus florida using ITS‐specific primers

The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of rDNA and the intervening 5.8S rRNA gene for the powdery mildew fungi Erysiphe (sect. Microsphaera) pulchra and Phyllactinia guttata were amplified using standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocols and the universal primer pairs, ITS₁ and ITS₄. PCR products for ITS were analysed by electrophoresis in a 1.5% agarose gel and sequenced. The size of the amplified ITS products (approximately 650 bp) were not sufficiently different to allow reliable differentiation of E. pulchra and P. guttata; however, their sequences were distinct. Specific primers for E. pulchra and P. guttata were developed and evaluated for use as diagnostic tools. The diagnostic band size from E. pulchra‐specific primer pair was 568 bp while the P. guttata band was 597 bp; the two primer pairs were highly specific to E. pulchra and P. guttata. Comparison of ITS sequences with information in the GenBank showed a very close similarity between sequences of E. pulchra isolates from Cornus florida in the USA and isolates collected on Cornus kousa in Japan. BLAST analysis of the sequence of the 650‐bp band from P. guttata revealed a close alignment with sequences of P. moricola (92%), P. kakicola (94%), and P. fraxini (92%). The sequence of P. guttata in C. florida also had a 98% identity with P. guttata in Calycanthus occidentalis and 94% identity with P. guttata in Corylus cornuta.     

First report of Erysiphe kenjiana causing powdery mildew of elm in Romania

Erysiphe kenjiana is an Asian fungus causing powdery mildew of Ulmus spp. In 2017, 10 years after its introduction in Europe, it was detected in Romania on Ulmus pumila, the Siberian elm, which is cultivated in urban environments as an ornamental and shade tree. The identification of the fungus was based on morphological characteristics and molecular data (rDNA internal transcribed spacer region). This is the first report of E. kenjiana in Romania, and only the third from a European country.     

Morphology and molecular phylogeny of Erysiphe japonica var. japonica found on Quercus aliena in Korea

In October 2022, Erysiphe powdery mildew from the section Typhulochaeta was found on Quercus aliena for the first time in Korea. Based on morphological characteristics and molecular-phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) gene sequences of the rDNA, the fungus was identified as Erysiphe japonica var. japonica. This is the first report of E. japonica var. japonica in Korea and the third report of this mildew on Q. aliena, with this current fungus-host association spreading to China and Japan. Based on Korean samples, this study provides detailed morphology and molecular phylogeny of E. japonica var. japonica.     

Identification,pathogenicity and control of powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe elevata on Eucalyptus pellita in Sumatra,Indonesia

Powdery mildews are biotrophic ascomycetes that do not typically kill their hosts, but instead interfere with normal plant growth. In Indonesia, white powdery spots were observed forming on the upper part of fully developed leaves of Eucalyptus pellita planted in sand beds of a clonal nursery. Thus, this study aimed to identify the causal agent of eucalypt powdery mildew in Indonesia as well as to develop control strategies to better manage the disease. Pathogen identification was based on morphology, molecular characterization of DNA sequencing the ITS region and pathogenicity test. In addition, considering that some powdery mildews are inhibited by free moisture on leaves, efficacy of foliar watering was tested for disease control. Phylogenetic analyses showed that isolates collected from infected eucalypt plants grouped together with other sequences of the Erysiphe elevata clade with bootstrap support of 99%; a similar result was also confirmed by morphological observations. Pathogenicity of powdery mildew on eucalypt plants was confirmed through artificial inoculation, thus fulfilling the Koch's postulates. For disease control, foliar watering reduced the incidence of powdery mildew on mother plants. The reduction of the disease incidence began to be more evident at 2 weeks after trial establishment, and in the fourth week, the incidence was below 10% in all three treatments, while the control was above 20%. Therefore, we concluded that E. elevata is the causal agent of powdery mildew in Indonesia and that one application of foliar watering per week was enough to minimize the disease impact in the nursery.     

Powdery mildew disease of rubber tree

Powdery mildew disease of rubber trees affects young rubber leaves, buds, inflorescences and other immature tissues reducing rubber latex yields by up to 45%. The disease is present in all rubber‐growing regions, with a high incidence rate in subtropical environments. The causal agent of powdery mildew disease of rubber trees was first described as Oidium heveae, but later research on the morphological characteristics suggests that O. heveae was in the past confused with Erysiphe quercicola. However, the most appropriate classification is still under debate between the genera Golovinomyces or Podosphaera. Molecular and phylogenetic analyses have established some relationships between rubber powdery mildew fungus and other powdery mildew species, but the generic sexual state of rubber powdery mildew fungus has not yet been established. Rubber powdery mildew conidia are wind‐spread spores that are produced in great numbers when growth conditions of the disease are favourable. The optimum conditions for conidial germination are 97–100% relative humidity and temperatures between 25 and 28°C. While some newly bred rubber clones have shown resistance to the disease, it can also be controlled with a number of fungicides and biological control agents. It is clear from recent knowledge about climate–fungus relationships that changes in weather strongly influence disease incidence and severity. The aim of this review is to highlight the classification conflicts, main causes and influencing factors behind the disease spreading, as well as draw attention to the impact of weather changes on the outbreaks of the disease. The information in this review will be helpful to adopt better control measures of the powdery mildew disease of rubber, especially in higher humidity areas, thereby minimizing the loss of rubber yields due to this disease.     

Spatial distribution of lineages of oak powdery mildew fungi in France, using quick molecular detection methods

? Powdery mildew is a major fungal disease of oaks in Europe. Recent studies using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences suggested the presence of four different lineages (putative species). The objective of the study was to investigate the spatial distribution of these lineages/species and, in particular, to test the hypothesis of a spatial differentiation, at various scales: regional (France), altitudinal (a Pyrenean transect) and local (within a forest plot).

? Detection methods for the four ITS types were developed: (1) single strand conformation polymorphism analysis (SSCP); (2) PCR amplifications, for which specific primers were designed. SSCP proved to be efficient for the detection of Erysiphe alphitoides and E. quercicola types. In contrast, the rarer ITS types corresponding to E. hypophylla and Phyllactinia guttata (sensu lato) were only detected by specific amplification.

? The study confirmed the strong predominance of the ITS sequence associated with E. alphitoides at all spatial scales (with a frequency higher than 80%). Isolates presumably belonging to E. quercicola (i.e. with same ITS type), a recently described species not yet recorded in Europe, were also found in all French regions at a significant frequency (15% at national level).

? No pattern of spatial differentiation between the putative species could be demonstrated: E. alphitoides was often found in association with different ITS types in the same region, the same tree, and even in the same lesion.

     

Relationships between Oak powdery mildew incidence and severity and commensal fungi

Oak (Quercus robur) powdery mildew is a common and damaging fungal disease. In a local survey at Reading, UK, oak powdery mildew was common on trees of all height classes but was most common on trees of 3–9 m. A variety of other fungal species were commonly found growing in association with oak powdery mildew colonies. The abundance of such fungi was estimated through stratified sample surveys for 2.5 years. The taxa most commonly associated with oak powdery mildew were Acremonium sp., Trichoderma sp., Ampelomyces/Phoma sp. and Leptosphaerulina australis. Nearly 90% of mildew colonies were associated with L. australis, which is not generally considered as a mycoparasite or antagonist, in contrast with the other three fungi. Abundance varied between June and October surveys. Acremonium sp. abundance was greater in summer samplings, whereas L. australis and Trichoderma sp. abundances were greater in autumn samplings. Ampelomyces/Phoma sp. was never observed in the absence of powdery mildew. Relationships between the mildew‐associated fungi and oak powdery mildew appeared curved and differed significantly between sampling years. L. australis was positively correlated with the other three associated fungi studied when powdery mildew was also present . The variety and high population densities of the mildew‐associated fungi suggest that they may be important in determining the final density of oak mildew and the damage caused by it.     

Photosynthetic traits and growth of Quercus mongolica var. crispula sprouts attacked by powdery mildew under free-air CO2 enrichment

To predict the performance of coppice forests with Japanese oak (Quercus mongolica var. crispula) in future changing environment, we studied the growth, photosynthesis, and powdery mildew (Erysiphe alphitoides) infection of sprouts of Japanese oak under free-air CO₂ enrichment. Elevated CO₂ reduced powdery mildew infection in both leaves of the shoot emerged in spring (1st flush) and the lammas and proleptic shoots (2nd flush) of sprouts. We observed significant increase in the net photosynthetic rate at growth CO₂ concentration (i.e., 370 and 500 μmol mol^?1 for ambient and elevated CO₂ treatments, respectively) in both 1st and 2nd flush leaves of sprouts grown under elevated CO₂. On the other hand, no significant increase in net photosynthetic rate under elevated CO₂ was found before cutting. The photosynthetic activity of 2nd flush leaves in the sprouts under ambient condition was greatly reduced by severe infection to powdery mildew. Growth of sprouts was enhanced in the elevated CO₂ condition. We conclude the growth enhancement in Japanese oak sprouts under elevated CO₂ in the present study was achieved not only by physiological response (i.e., photosynthetic stimulation) but also by disease interaction.     

Erysiphe diffusa causing powdery mildew on Mimosa caesalpiniifolia in Brazil: A soya bean pathogen found on an important native Brazilian tree

Mimosa caesalpiniifolia: Fabaceae (sansão‐do‐campo or sabiá, in Brazil) is a small tree or shrub native to the Brazilian semi‐arid forest and widely used as a hedge plant in Brazil. Although of economic relevance, little is known of fungal pathogens infecting this plant. Recently, plants growing in an urban situation at Ouro Preto, and also on the roadside in Viçosa (state of Minas Gerais, Brazil), were found to be severely attacked by a powdery mildew which led to progressive leaf blight and serious defoliation. Based on morphology and molecular phylogenetic analysis of nuclear rDNA sequences, the fungus was identified as Erysiphe diffusa—a pathogen best known attacking soya bean, particularly in highland plantings.     

Characterization of North American Armillaria species: genetic relationships determined by ribosomal DNA sequences and AFLP markers

Phylogenetic and genetic relationships among 10 North American Armillaria species were analysed using sequence data from ribosomal DNA (rDNA), including intergenic spacer (IGS‐1), internal transcribed spacers with associated 5.8S (ITS + 5.8S), and nuclear large subunit rDNA (nLSU), and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Based on rDNA sequence data, the nLSU region is less variable among Armillaria species than the ITS + 5.8S and IGS‐1 regions (nLSU < ITS + 5.8S < IGS‐1). Phylogenetic analyses of the rDNA sequences suggested Armillaria mellea, A. tabescens and A. nabsnona are well separated from the remaining Armillaria species (A. ostoyae, A. gemina, A. calvescens, A. sinapina, A. gallica, NABS X and A. cepistipes). Several Armillaria species (A. calvescens, A. sinapina, A. gallica, NABS X and A. cepistipes) clustered together based on rDNA sequencing data. Based on the isolates used in this study, it appears that techniques based on IGS‐1, ITS + 5.8S, and/or D‐domain/3′ ends of nLSU are not reliable for distinguishing A. calvescens, A. sinapina, A. gallica and A. cepistipes. However, AFLP data provided delineation among these species, and AFLP analysis supported taxonomic classification established by conventional methods (morphology and interfertility tests). Our results indicate that AFLP genetic markers offer potential for distinguishing currently recognized North American Biological Species (NABS) of Armillaria in future biological, ecological and taxonomic studies.     

Outbreak of powdery mildew caused by Sawadaea negundinis on boxelder in Iran

Boxelder (Acer negundo) is planted as ornamental and shade tree in many countries including Iran. During July 2016, boxelder trees in parks and streets of different localities in East Azarbaijan province, Iran were found to be heavily infected with powdery mildew. Whitish powdery fungal mass developed mainly on the lower leaf surface. The infected young leaves became bubbled, curled and crinkled, giving affected plants an unpleasant appearance. During September, scattered, dark brown, spherical chasmothecia were produced on the lower leaf surface. The causal agent was identified as Sawadaea negundinis based on a combination of morphological characteristics of sexual and asexual morphs and sequence data of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1‐5.8S‐ITS2). This study provides the first report on the occurrence of S. negundinis on boxelder in Iran.     

Phylogenetic analysis of Japanese Armillaria based on the intergenic spacer (IGS) sequences of their ribosomal DNA

To determine the phylogenetic positions of two new species, Armillaria jezoensis and Armillaria singula, and one new subspecies, Armillaria mellea suhsp. nipponica, the nucleotide sequences of the intergenic spacers (IGS) of their ribosomal DNA were investigated, and compared with those of tour other Armillaria species from Japan, and those of nine Armillaria species from Europe and North America. We conclude that Armillaria jezoensis, and Armillaria singula belong to the Armillaria gallica cluster as Armillaria cepistipes, Armillaria gallica and Armillaria sinapina from Japan. Two isolates of Armillaria ostoyae from Japan were placed within the Armillaria ostoyae cluster. Armillaria mellea subsp. nipponica had an IGS sequence as long as the IGS of Armillaria mellea from Europe and North America. However, the IGS sequences of Armillaria mellea subsp. nipponica, whose basidium base lacks a clamp connection could not be satisfactorily aligned with the IGS sequences of other species possessing this morphological feature.     

Phenotypic variation in the phenology of ascospore production between European populations of oak powdery mildew

? Oak powdery mildew severity (Erysiphe alphitoides) is usually mild in Europe because epidemics start late in spring, at the end of the first oak growth unit maturation. However, the disease can occasionally be very severe when strong infection occurs early during the development of the first growth unit, suggesting that host-pathogen synchrony in spring could be a critical factor in disease severity.

? We studied the timing of ascospore production in a given environment for four E. alphitoides populations sampled from SW France to the Czech Republic to determine whether this trait shows variation within Europe.

? Timing of ascospore production was clearly influenced by environmental factors as chasmothecia from a single origin showed very different dates of optimal ascospore production when transferred for overwintering in locations with different climate. In common garden experiments, no differences were observed between populations for the date of optimal ascospore production.

? Results suggest little genetic differentiation for timing of ascospore production for E. alphitoides populations across Europe and therefore a lack of local adaptation to their host phenology. Availability in ascospore inoculum is limited during host budburst, explaining the low infection usually observed on the first oak growth unit.

     

Initial characterization of an unidentified Armillaria isolate from Serbia using LSU‐IGS1 and TEF‐1‐α genes

Armillaria species have a global distribution and play variable ecological roles, including causing root disease of diverse forest, ornamental and horticultural trees. Accurate identification of Armillaria species is critical to understand their distribution and ecological roles. This work focused on characterizing an unidentified Armillaria isolate from a Serbian forest using pairing, sequencing of the partial large subunit and intergenic spacer‐1 regions of rDNA (LSU‐IGS1) and the translation elongation factor‐1 alpha gene (tef‐1α) genes, and phylogenetic analyses. Despite previously obtained LSU‐IGS1 RFLP patterns that matched the newly described North American Armillaria altimontana, pairing tests and phylogenetic analyses of LSU‐IGS1 and tef‐1α sequences clearly demonstrate that the unidentified isolate is not A. altimontana. Based on LSU‐IGS1, Armillaria gallica isolates were polyphyletic, and the Serbian isolate clustered with a subset of European A. gallica isolates within a well‐supported clade (99%). Based on tef‐1α, the Serbian isolate appeared as a separate, well‐supported clade (97%) that was basal to other poorly resolved, polyphyletic clades containing European A. gallica isolates. It is speculated that the unidentified Armillaria isolate from Serbia could represent an evolutionary ancestral state because of its separate, basal position compared with other clades comprising polyphyletic European A. gallica isolates. Alternatively, this unidentified Serbian isolate could represent an unusual hybrid because of its high‐level sequence heterogeneity, represented by multiple two‐nucleotide codes, within tef‐1α. Further characterization is needed to confirm the taxonomic status and ecological/evolutionary significance of this unique, unknown Armillaria isolate from Serbia.