A new emergency for the Mediterranean fruit trees: detection and characterization of a fungal disease on fig (<i>Ficus carica</i> L.) in Sicily

Silvestro, Silvia Di; Strano, Maria Concetta; Ferlito, Filippo; Torrisi, Biagio; Allegra, Mario; Neri, D.; Lodolini, E.M.; Bella, Salvatore La

doi:10.17660/actahortic.2021.1310.41

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…), and even Nectriaceae (Fusarium spp.) families were already reported (Aiello et al, 2020;Banihashemi & Javadi, 2009;Di Silvestro et al, 2021;Gusella et al, 2021). These fungi are able to induce severe dieback, cankers and blight symptoms in trunk, branches, twigs, shoots, fruits and leaves.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 88%

First report of fig tree dieback caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae in Tunisia

Jabnoun‐Khiareddine

Abdallah

Mars

et al. 2022

Journal of Phytopathology

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In Tunisia, common fig (Ficus carica L., Moraceae) is a very ancient fruit crop, very important and still regaining interest. It is cultivated throughout Tunisia from the south to the north and from the east to the west. In July 2020, a severe unusual branch dieback and stem canker was observed on fig cv. ‘Zidi’ trees in a commercial orchard in north‐eastern Tunisia. Disease incidence was 50% and symptoms observed on the 10‐year‐old infected trees included wilt, defoliation, branch dieback and trunk and shoot cankers. The current study aimed to characterize the pathogen (s) associated with observed fig dieback and to study their pathogenicity. The causal agent has been identified as belonging only to the species Lasiodiplodia theobromae based on morphological characters and phylogenetic analyses, using combined sequences of ITS, tef1 and β‐tubulin (tub2) genes. Pathogenicity tests performed on 1‐year‐old detached and green shoots demonstrated that L. theobromae was pathogenic to common fig cv. ‘Zidi’. Symptom development was visible after 7–15 days of incubation at 25°C showing the aggressive behaviour of L. theobromae towards fig shoots. Cvs. ‘Chetoui’, ‘Zidi’, ‘Bidhi Bghal’ and ‘Bither Abyadh’ were less susceptible compared to the more susceptible cvs. ‘Soltani’ and ‘Bidhi 2’. To our knowledge, this study is the first report on common fig canker and dieback disease caused by L. theobromae in Tunisia and Africa. Considering the severe and rapid progress of this disease, prevention and management strategies should be implemented urgently to reduce its incidence and reduce fig tree losses.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 88%

First report of fig tree dieback caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae in Tunisia

Jabnoun‐Khiareddine

Abdallah

Mars

et al. 2022

Journal of Phytopathology

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“…Populations of C. dilutus and X. bispinatus are currently considered as established in Italy and fig plants infested by these pests showed the co‐occurrence of some pathogenic fungi, including Fusarium spp. (Di Silvestro et al., 2021). However, the current distributional range and the identity of fungal pathogens which can be vectored by these beetle species in Southern Italy remained unclear.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Europe, the bark beetle Cryphalus dilutus Eichhoff, initially identified as Hypocryphalus scabricollis, was reported for the first time in South-Eastern Sicily (Italy) in 2014 and 2015, where it caused serious damage to common fig trees together with another non-native Scolytinae beetle, the ambrosia beetle Xyleborus bispinatus Eichhoff (Faccoli et al, 2016) Italy and fig plants infested by these pests showed the co-occurrence of some pathogenic fungi, including Fusarium spp. (Di Silvestro et al, 2021). However, the current distributional range and the identity of fungal pathogens which can be vectored by these beetle species in Southern Italy remained unclear.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

From a cause of rapid fig tree dieback to a new threat to mango production: the invasive bark beetle Cryphalus dilutus Eichhoff (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) and its associated fungi found on mango trees in Europe

Gugliuzzo,

Gusella,

Leonardi

et al. 2023

EPPO Bulletin

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Bark and ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) are receiving increasing scientific interest because of the economic losses that they can cause in invaded areas. Nonetheless, there are a number of emerging pest species, belonging to different tribes, for which invasions have likely been overlooked in the past due to their inconspicuousness, taxonomic confusion and/or misidentification. In the summer of 2022, severe infestations by a bark beetle species belonging to the tribe Cryphalini were observed on mango (Mangifera indica L.) in Eastern Sicily (Italy). No information about bark beetle attacks on mango trees in Europe was available previously. However, the occurrence of a cryphaline bark beetle species causing rapid common fig tree (Ficus carica L.) dieback was reported for the same investigated area in 2014 and 2015. We aimed to identify the bark beetle species attacking mango and common figs, and to describe the fungal pathogens vectored by this beetle species. Our results revealed that the bark beetle species attacking mango and fig trees in the studied area is Cryphalus dilutus Eichhoff and that different fungal pathogens, i.e., species of Botryosphaeriaceae, Ceratocystis ficicola and Neocosmospora spp., are vectored by this beetle species.

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“…In addition, some groups of arthropods, especially defoliators and borers, can damage the entire plant and facilitate the transmission of plant disease [30,31]. In the Mediterranean region, studies have reported the invasion of new pests causing multiple outbreaks with severe socioeconomic impacts [32][33][34][35]. Studies have argued that recent pest outbreaks were fostered by climate change [36][37][38], which suggests that future scenarios of climate warming might exacerbate the number of outbreaks on crop fields [38].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Combined Effects of Climate and Pests on Fig (Ficus carica L.) Yield in a Mediterranean Region: Implications for Sustainable Agricultural Strategies

Mellal¹,

Khelifa

Chelli

et al. 2023

Sustainability

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Fig cultivation has long been an agricultural tradition in the Mediterranean region, providing economic and social benefits to local communities. Understanding fig tree yield response to the rapid invasions of fig pests and shifts in climatic conditions is essential for developing appropriate sustainable agricultural strategies. In this context, we investigate whether rapid changes in climate and pest invasions have had a combined effect on fig (Ficus carica L.) tree yield. We used data collected over 10 years in Bejaïa province, Algeria, and conducted a regression analysis to investigate the relationship between fig tree yield and two key factors. Results revealed a significant warming trend (0.057 °C yr−1), and a decrease in precipitation (−27.1 mm yr−1), in the region. Multiple pests, including pathogenic fungi (Diaporthe cinerascens, Fusarium spp.) and ravaging bark beetles (Hypocryphalus scabricollis), have spread in the region. Fig tree yield declined by 25% during the study period and was affected by both factors. Our findings provide valuable insights that can aid farmers and practitioners in mitigating risks that arise from the combined effects of climate change and pest invasions, thereby promoting sustainable farming practices.

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A new emergency for the Mediterranean fruit trees: detection and characterization of a fungal disease on fig (Ficus carica L.) in Sicily

Cited by 6 publications

References 7 publications

First report of fig tree dieback caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae in Tunisia

First report of fig tree dieback caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae in Tunisia

From a cause of rapid fig tree dieback to a new threat to mango production: the invasive bark beetle Cryphalus dilutus Eichhoff (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) and its associated fungi found on mango trees in Europe

Combined Effects of Climate and Pests on Fig (Ficus carica L.) Yield in a Mediterranean Region: Implications for Sustainable Agricultural Strategies

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