Dieback symptoms on olive trees caused by the fungus Eutypa lata1

The fungus Eutypa lata was isolated from olive trees for the first time in 1988 from two young 3-year-old trees. It was evident that the infection was initiated from the graft union. The trees were also infected by Armillaria mellea. In a second case in 1991, extensive cankers were observed along the branches which often were girdled and died. The infected area extended from the bark into the sapwood and even into the heartwood. Cultures made on potatodextrose agar from the margin of necrotic and healthy tissues resulted in typical colonies of the fungus E. lata, as well as of Verticillium dahliae. The colonies of E. lata produced the characteristic pycnidia of the anamorph Libertella blepharis 3–4 weeks later. Pathogenicity tests made on olive, apricot, almond and walnut trees resulted in the death of the inoculated twigs or in canker formation and extensive brown discoloration of the wood.