Plant Pathology (2010) 59, 900-912

V. Andjic, G.S. Pegg, A.J. Carnegie, A. Callister, G.E. StJ Hardy and T.I. Burgess (2010)
Teratosphaeria pseudoeucalypti, new cryptic species responsible for leaf blight of Eucalyptus in subtropical and tropical Australia
Plant Pathology 59 (5), 900-912
Abstract: Sub-tropical and tropical plantations of Eucalyptus grandis hybrids in eastern Australia have been severely affected by anamorphs of Teratosphaeria (formerly Kirramyces) causing a serious leaf blight disease. Initially the causal organism in Queensland, Australia, was identified as Teratosphaeria eucalypti, a known leaf parasite of endemic Eucalyptus spp. However, some inconsistencies in symptoms, damage and host range suggested that the pathogen in Queensland may be a new species. Isolates of T. eucalypti from throughout its known endemic range, including Queensland and New Zealand, where it is an exotic pathogen, were compared using multiple gene phylogenies. Phylogenetic studies revealed that the species responsible for leaf blight in Queensland represents a new taxon, described here as Teratosphaeria pseudoeucalypti. While the DNA sequence of T. pseudoeucalypti was more similar to T. eucalypti, the symptoms and cultural characteristics resembled that of T. destructans. The impact of this disease in central Queensland has increased annually and is the major threat to the eucalypt plantation industry in the region.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Treena Burgess, Geoffrey S. Pegg, Angus J. Carnegie

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
identification/taxonomy

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Teratosphaeria pseudoeucalypti	Eucalypt (Eucalyptus)	Australia (NT+QLD)