First report of Neofusicoccum australe [Botryosphaeria australis], a cause of grapevine dieback in New Zealand

Abstract

This is the first report of Neofusicoccum australe isolated from grapevine (Vitis vinifera) and broom (Cytisus scoparius) in New Zealand. Neofusicoccum australe was identified by morphological characteristics and sequence analysis of the rRNA. Koch's postulates were confirmed by inoculation of wounded, detached green shoots of pinot noir grapevine, on which N. australe caused dark brown lesions within 10 days. © 2009 Australasian Plant Pathology Society.