<i>Phytophthora inundata</i>: A New Root Pathogen of Citrus in Europe and the Mediterranean Region
Citruses are one of the major fruit crops globally. Among Mediterranean citrus producers, Sicily (southern Italy) is renowned for its high-quality fresh fruit production. Phytophthora diseases are a serious issue for citrus production worldwide and <i>Phytophthora nicotianae</i> is a pre...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-04-01
|
| Series: | Plants |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/9/1333 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850278781952983040 |
|---|---|
| author | Cristian Bua Maria Catena Tambè Sebastiano Conti Taguali Mario Riolo Alessandro Vitale Antonella Pane Santa Olga Cacciola |
| author_facet | Cristian Bua Maria Catena Tambè Sebastiano Conti Taguali Mario Riolo Alessandro Vitale Antonella Pane Santa Olga Cacciola |
| author_sort | Cristian Bua |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Citruses are one of the major fruit crops globally. Among Mediterranean citrus producers, Sicily (southern Italy) is renowned for its high-quality fresh fruit production. Phytophthora diseases are a serious issue for citrus production worldwide and <i>Phytophthora nicotianae</i> is a prevalent causal agent of root rot in most citrus growing areas globally and particularly in the Mediterranean region. This study reports the occurrence of <i>Phytophthora inundata</i> as a root pathogen of declining mature citrus trees in eastern Sicily in association with <i>P. nicotianae</i>. This is the first record of <i>P. inundata</i> on citrus in Europe and the Mediterranean region. The species was identified on the basis of a morphology and multi-gene phylogenetic analysis, which included the internal transcribed spacer, β-tubulin and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1. Pathogenicity tests on citrus saplings showed <i>P. inundata</i> was a less aggressive pathogen than <i>P. nicotianae</i>. However, the co-inoculation of both species produced more severe symptoms than inoculation with a single species, indicating an additive effect of these two pathogens and suggesting that opportunistic secondary pathogens like <i>P. inundata</i> may have a crucial role in complex diseases. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8cc39eb905aa4bdfa4b724ccfb48e54d |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj-art-8cc39eb905aa4bdfa4b724ccfb48e54d2025-08-20T01:49:20ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-04-01149133310.3390/plants14091333<i>Phytophthora inundata</i>: A New Root Pathogen of Citrus in Europe and the Mediterranean RegionCristian Bua0Maria Catena Tambè1Sebastiano Conti Taguali2Mario Riolo3Alessandro Vitale4Antonella Pane5Santa Olga Cacciola6Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 100, 95123 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 100, 95123 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 100, 95123 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 100, 95123 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 100, 95123 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 100, 95123 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 100, 95123 Catania, ItalyCitruses are one of the major fruit crops globally. Among Mediterranean citrus producers, Sicily (southern Italy) is renowned for its high-quality fresh fruit production. Phytophthora diseases are a serious issue for citrus production worldwide and <i>Phytophthora nicotianae</i> is a prevalent causal agent of root rot in most citrus growing areas globally and particularly in the Mediterranean region. This study reports the occurrence of <i>Phytophthora inundata</i> as a root pathogen of declining mature citrus trees in eastern Sicily in association with <i>P. nicotianae</i>. This is the first record of <i>P. inundata</i> on citrus in Europe and the Mediterranean region. The species was identified on the basis of a morphology and multi-gene phylogenetic analysis, which included the internal transcribed spacer, β-tubulin and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1. Pathogenicity tests on citrus saplings showed <i>P. inundata</i> was a less aggressive pathogen than <i>P. nicotianae</i>. However, the co-inoculation of both species produced more severe symptoms than inoculation with a single species, indicating an additive effect of these two pathogens and suggesting that opportunistic secondary pathogens like <i>P. inundata</i> may have a crucial role in complex diseases.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/9/1333<i>Phytophthora</i> clade 6root rot<i>Phytophthora nicotianae</i>multi-gene phylogenetic analysismultiple infectioncomplex diseases |
| spellingShingle | Cristian Bua Maria Catena Tambè Sebastiano Conti Taguali Mario Riolo Alessandro Vitale Antonella Pane Santa Olga Cacciola <i>Phytophthora inundata</i>: A New Root Pathogen of Citrus in Europe and the Mediterranean Region Plants <i>Phytophthora</i> clade 6 root rot <i>Phytophthora nicotianae</i> multi-gene phylogenetic analysis multiple infection complex diseases |
| title | <i>Phytophthora inundata</i>: A New Root Pathogen of Citrus in Europe and the Mediterranean Region |
| title_full | <i>Phytophthora inundata</i>: A New Root Pathogen of Citrus in Europe and the Mediterranean Region |
| title_fullStr | <i>Phytophthora inundata</i>: A New Root Pathogen of Citrus in Europe and the Mediterranean Region |
| title_full_unstemmed | <i>Phytophthora inundata</i>: A New Root Pathogen of Citrus in Europe and the Mediterranean Region |
| title_short | <i>Phytophthora inundata</i>: A New Root Pathogen of Citrus in Europe and the Mediterranean Region |
| title_sort | i phytophthora inundata i a new root pathogen of citrus in europe and the mediterranean region |
| topic | <i>Phytophthora</i> clade 6 root rot <i>Phytophthora nicotianae</i> multi-gene phylogenetic analysis multiple infection complex diseases |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/9/1333 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT cristianbua iphytophthorainundataianewrootpathogenofcitrusineuropeandthemediterraneanregion AT mariacatenatambe iphytophthorainundataianewrootpathogenofcitrusineuropeandthemediterraneanregion AT sebastianocontitaguali iphytophthorainundataianewrootpathogenofcitrusineuropeandthemediterraneanregion AT marioriolo iphytophthorainundataianewrootpathogenofcitrusineuropeandthemediterraneanregion AT alessandrovitale iphytophthorainundataianewrootpathogenofcitrusineuropeandthemediterraneanregion AT antonellapane iphytophthorainundataianewrootpathogenofcitrusineuropeandthemediterraneanregion AT santaolgacacciola iphytophthorainundataianewrootpathogenofcitrusineuropeandthemediterraneanregion |