First report of Gibberella circinata in Portugal
In November 2007, dieback symptoms (basal needle dieback, wilting and dieback of terminal shoot) were observed on Pinus radiata and P. pinaster in a tree nursery located in Anadia in the Central region of Portugal. Samples were collected from 20 symptomatic plants. A species of Fusarium was isolated from infected tissues and identified as Fusarium circinatum (teleomorph Gibberella circinata – EPPO A1 List) on the basis of morphological and cultural characteristics. The identity of the fungus was confirmed by PCR and pathogenicity tests. According to the authors this is the first time that Gibberella circinata is detected in Portugal.
The situation of Gibberella circinata in Portugal can be described as follows: Present, first detected in 2007 in 1 nursery on Pinus radiata and P. pinaster.
Sources
Bragança H, Diogo E, Moniz F, Amaro P (2009) First report of pitch canker on pines caused by Fusarium circinatum in Portugal. Plant Disease 93(10), p 1079.