Phylogeny of Neofusicoccum species associated with grapevine trunk diseases in Algeria, with description of Neofusicoccum algeriense sp. nov.

During a study of Botryosphaeriaceae species associated with grapevine trunk diseases in North Algeria, a collection of 67 Neofusicoccum-like strains were isolated from three cultivars (Cinsaut, Alphonse Lavallée and Cardinal) from two different locations. Based on morphology and DNA sequence data (ITS and TEF-1α), four species were identified. Of these, Neofusicoccum parvum, N. mediterraneum and N. australe are known, while N. algeriense is described here as new. These species are reported for the first time from Algeria. In this study, relationships between vascular lesions and Neofusicoccum species isolated were highlighted. The Neofusicoccum spp. were most often isolated from wedge-shaped and yellow soft wood rots and more rarely from central brown necrosis and black streaking. Neofusicoccum parvum was the most frequently isolated (48 isolates) followed by N. algeriense (four), while N. mediterraneum and N. australe were each found only once.