Lasiodiplodia hormozganensis causing basal stem rot on Ricinus communis in Brazil

Abstract

Ricinus communis plants showing symptoms of root and stem rot were observed in the states of Bahia and Paraíba, Brazil. Based on the morphology and phylogenetic analyses of ITS and TEF-1α combined, the causal agents of the observed symptoms were identified as Lasiodiplodia hormozganensis and L. theobromae, pathogenicity was confirmed by fulfilling Koch’s postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report from any part of the world of L. hormozganensis causing root and stem rot in R. communis.