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The aim of this study was to characterise the performance of new molecular methods for the detection and identification of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa) and to provide validation data in comparison to the assays mentioned in official diagnostic protocols and being currently used. Eleven molecular tests for the Psa detection were compared in an interlaboratory comparison where each laboratory had to analyse the same panel of samples consisting of thirteen Psa-spiked kiwifruit wood extracts. Laboratories had to perform also isolation from the wood extracts. Data from this interlaboratory test performance study (TPS) was statistically analysed to assess the performance of each method. In order to provide complete validation data, both for detection and identification, this TPS was supplemented by a further study of identification from pure culture of phylogenetically closely related Pseudomonas spp., Psa, and bacterial strains associated with kiwifruit. The results of both these studies showed that simplex-PCRs gave good results, whereas duplex-PCR and realtime PCR were the most reliable tools for detection and identification of Psa. Nested and multiplex-PCR gave

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Summary The occurrence of Colletotrichum acutatum J. H. Simmonds in necrotized galls of Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu in chestnut (Castanea sativa Miller) stands is reported for the first time in Italy. Morphological and biomolecular analyses confirmed the isolation of the fungus. No damage by the fungus has been observed.

Summary Pink‐coloured tissues were observed in rotting chestnut nuts collected from soil in different orchards in Italy (Emilia Romagna, Tuscany and Trentino). Morphological and molecular analysis confirmed the presence of Colletotrichum acutatum (J.H. Simmons) in affected fruits, and inoculation tests corroborated the ability of the pathogen to colonize nuts.