Curvularia spicifera and Curvularia muehlenbeckiae causing leaf blight on Cunninghamia lanceolata

Curvularia includes plant pathogenic species with a worldwide distribution and a wide host range, particularly cereals and grass (Poaceae). Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) is an important afforestation tree species in southern China, with a high economic value. Leaf blight disease on Chinese fir was discovered in Hunan and Zhejiang, China, and two fungal species were found to be associated with the symptoms. Using morphological and phylogenetic approaches, they were identified as Curvularia spicifera and Curvularia muehlenbeckiae. They were determined to be the pathogens by fulfilling Koch's postulates. Both showed a pathogenicity on Citrus reticulata and Citrus tangerina, which have a similar geographic distribution to Chinese fir. The similar geographic distribution of these hosts may increase the risk of disease. Based on a literature review, leaf blight caused by C. spicifera and C. muehlenbeckiae is recorded here on a gymnosperm for the first time.