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Botryosphaeriaceae fungi causing canker and die-back on Grevillea robusta in tea plantations of Sri Lanka

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Abstract

Grevillea robusta (Proteaceae) is an economically important plant species. In Sri Lanka, G. robusta is a popular high shade tree in tea plantations and is widely grown in high and mid-elevations (> 600 m mean sea level). Incidences of canker and associated die-back of G. robusta are increasing on tea lands of Sri Lanka. The symptoms started from yellowing and defoliation of leaves, and the death of branches leading to the complete death of trees. Stem and trunk cankers with gummosis and black oozing were consistently associated with die-back of G. robusta trees. This study investigated the association of plant pathogens in G. robusta die-back and histopathological changes in infected tissues. Morphological studies, combined ITS and tef 1-α phylogeny, and pathogenicity tests identified Lasiodiplodia theobromae, an uncharacterized Lasiodiplodia sp., and Neofusicoccum parvum as the pathogens causing canker and die-back in G. robusta. Histopathological studies of both infected and healthy tissues confirmed that xylem blockage and death of xylem parenchyma (axial and ray parenchyma) and bark tissues are induced by the pathogen infection. The findings of this study will help to develop management strategies and minimize the economic and environmental impact of G. robusta die-back in tea plantations.

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Acknowledgements

We sincerely acknowledge the assistance given by Mr. Miyuru Vidharshana, Faculty of Geomatics, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka in the preparation of the distribution and severity map. We also thank Mr. Kahandawa, and Mr. AL Rohitha Kumar, ex-OICs of Passara Advisory and Extension Centre of Tea Research Institute of Sri Lanka (TRISL) for their guidance, untiring support, and valuable comments. Tea Research Institute of Sri Lanka is acknowledged for the funding of project A34.3.

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  1. Plant Pathology Division, Tea Research Institute of Sri Lanka, St Coombs, Talawakelle, Sri Lanka

    Niranjan Mahadevan, Ganga Devi Sinniah, Colombage Dona Nelanka Priyadarshani, Samarakoon Mudiyanselage Sudarshi Malshani Samarakoon & Dinamithra Gedara Nadeeka Priyadarshanie Karunajeewa

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  1. Niranjan Mahadevan
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Mahadevan, N., Sinniah, G.D., Priyadarshani, C.D.N. et al. Botryosphaeriaceae fungi causing canker and die-back on Grevillea robusta in tea plantations of Sri Lanka. Australasian Plant Pathol. 51, 371–382 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13313-022-00875-8

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