Identification of<i>Pestalotiopsis clavispora</i>causing brown leaf spot on Chinese bayberry in China

Abstract

A brown leaf spot disease was observed on Chinese bayberry (Myrica rubra) in Zhejiang Province, China during 2012 and 2014. A fungus was isolated from diseased leaves showing typical symptoms of brown leaf spot. The pathogenicity of the isolated fungus was confirmed through inoculation experiments. Based on morphological characteristics and molecular analyses, the pathogen was identified as Pestalotiopsis clavispora (G. F. Atk.) Steyaert. This is the first report of P. clavispora causing brown leaf spot on Chinese bayberry in China.