Pseudopestalotiopsis elaeidis associated with leaf spots on Cycas revoluta in Brazil

Abstract

Cycas revoluta Thunberg, which belongs to the Cycadaceae family, is also known as sago palm, King Sago Palm, and Sago Cycad (Figure 1a). This cycad is native to Japan, where it grows mainly on steep limestone cliffs and rocks overhanging the shoreline, as well as in sparse forests under heavy shade (Whitelock, 2002). This small palm-like tree is used as an ornamental plant in several countries. Humans have consumed it for food for nearly 7000 years, in addition to using it for alcoholic beverages, medicine, and other purposes (Whitelock, 2002).Cycads are rarely affected by the disease, except for seedlings, and most diseases are caused by fungi (Whitelock, 2002). Among other fungi that cause leaf spots on sago palm, some members of Sporocadaceae might be listed, such as Pestalotia cycadis, Pestalotiopsis leprogena, Pestalotiopsis uvicola, Pestalotiopsis vismiae, Pestalotiopsis glandicola and Pestalotiopsis guepinii (Farr & Rossman, 2022).Based on the characteristics of the conidia, Steyaert (1949) separated Pestalotia into two further genera, Pestalotiopsis and Truncatella.Briefly, Pestalotia is distinguished by having conidia with six cells.Truncatella has conidia with only four cells, while Pestalotiopsis possesses conidia with five cells. Maharachchikumbura et al. (2014) split Pestalotiopsis into three genera, namely Neopestalotiopsis, Pestalotiopsis and Pseudopestalotiopsis.