Identification and pathogenicity of Botryosphaeriaceae species associated with coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) decline in southern California

Symptoms of decline have been observed on dying coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) trees in areas throughout southern California that are both infested and uninfested by the gold-spotted oak borer (GSOB). The purpose of this study was to identify and assess the pathogenicity of several anamorph species of the Botryosphaeriaceae, including Diplodia corticola, Dothiorella iberica and Diplodia agrifolia sp. nov., that were recovered consistently from symptomatic tissues. Species were identified morphologically and by phylogenetic analyses of the complete sequence of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of the rDNA and partial sequences of beta-tubulin and elongation factor (EF1-alpha) genes. Results from morphological assessments and phylogenetic analyses support the erection of a new species closely related to D. mutila, described herein as Diplodia agrifolia sp. nov. Pathogenicity of all species was verified by wound inoculation of 1 y old coast live oak seedlings under controlled conditions. Isolates of D. corticola were the most aggressive tested, and isolates of D. agrifolia were the second most aggressive. Both species caused bleeding symptoms on inoculated seedlings. Seedlings inoculated with D. corticola died within 4 wk, with the pathogen progressing up and down through the xylem in advance of living phloem and moving throughout the taproot in 70% of inoculated seedlings. Colonization and re-isolation was successful for all species. All three fungal species represent newly recorded fungal pathogens of coast live oak in California. Results from the pathogenicity test suggest that these fungi play a role in the decline of coast live oaks throughout southern California.