Archives of Phytopathology and Plant Protection (2017) 50, 286-302

Najwa Benfradj, Duccio Migliorini, Nicola Luchi, Alberto Santini and Naima Boughalleb-M'Hamdi (2017)
Occurrence of Pythium and Phytopythium species isolated from citrus trees infected with gummosis disease in Tunisia
Archives of Phytopathology and Plant Protection 50 (5-6), 286-302
Abstract: A survey was conducted, during 2012/2013, to identify the causal agents of citrus gummosis in Tunisia. The obtained isolates were identified by molecular and pathological criteria. Three species of Pythium (P. aphanidermatum, P. ultimum and P. dissotocum) and two species of Phytopythium (P. vexans and P. mercuriale) were recovered. Pathogenic tests, using twigs inoculation method for five citrus varieties under laboratory conditions, showed necrotic lesions similar to those observed in natural infected citrus trees by gummosis. In greenhouse experiments, the pathogenicity of the species to citrus was demonstrated by soil and trunk inoculations. Results showed necrotic lesions in the trunk of the variety "Clementine". P. ultimum is the most virulent, while P. mercuriale was the least virulent in trunk inoculation. Symptom of necrotic roots has been also observed. This is the first report of Pythium and Phytopythium species within the citrus area in Tunisia.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
(original language: English)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Naima Boughalleb, Nicola Luchi

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
surveys/sampling/distribution

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Globisporangium ultimum	Citrus (genus)	Tunisia
	Pythium aphanidermatum	Citrus (genus)	Tunisia
	Pythium dissotocum	Citrus (genus)	Tunisia
	Phytopythium vexans	Citrus (genus)	Tunisia