<i><scp>F</scp>usarium</i> spp. are Responsible for <scp>S</scp>hoot <scp>C</scp>anker of <scp>K</scp>umquat in <scp>C</scp>hina

Abstract

Abstract Shoot and branch canker and tree decline of kumquat ( F ortunella margarita cv. Guban) were recorded in Y angshuo C ounty, G uilin C ity, in the G uangxi Z huang A utonomous R egion of C hina during 2008–2011. F usarium oxysporum and a new F usarium species within the G ibberella fujikuroi complex ( F usarium sp. GLB 1) were isolated repeatedly from the infected shoots and branches. Species identifications were verified by their high translation elongation factor 1‐alpha ( TEF 1 ) sequence similarity with those of the species epitypes. Koch's postulates were fulfilled on kumquat (cv. G uban) and mandarin establishing pathogenicity. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Fusarium shoot canker disease caused by F . oxysporum and F usarium sp. on kumquat.