Identification and characterization of chestnut branch-inhabiting melanocratic fungi in China

Abstract

Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima) is an important commercial tree species widely cultivated in most provinces in China. Chestnut branch-inhabiting fungi may be responsible for branch canker and dieback. In present study, dead corticated chestnut branches with superficial ascomata or conidiomata were collected from chestnut plantations in Hebei, Shaanxi and Shandong provinces. Fungi producing melanocratic ascospores or conidia were observed and identified based on both morphology and analyses of DNA sequence data. Specimens were identified to five species, viz. Neopseudomelanconis castaneae gen. et sp. nov., Aplosporella javeedii Jami, Gryzenh., Slippers and M.J. Wingf., Coryneum umbonatum Nees, Lopadostoma americanum Jaklitsch, J. Fourn., J.D. Rogers and Voglmayr and Myrmaecium fulvopruinatum Jaklitsch and Voglmayr.