First report of Eutypella species associated with dying cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

A rapid increase in the number of Gossypium hirsutum L. plants suddenly wilting and dying a commercial cotton field Central Queensland initiated this study. The aim was to characterise fungal species recovered from discoloured vascular tissue dead determine if they contributed their death. Isolations were consistently dominated by one fungus based on culture morphology. Identification established sequences internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region ribosomal DNA revealed that isolates all belong Diatrypaceae, with high homology Eutypella scoparia. Further analyses showed there two distinct present isolates, which are quite different E. scoparia sequence dissimilarity due presence ITS1 ITS2 insertions. In diseased root samples, community profiling operational taxonomic units (OTUs) related most abundant fungi accounting for 45 99% sequences. Pathogenicity tests isolate when inoculated into stem healthy G. using inoculation methods caused cankerous growth necrosis tissue, typical trunk disease. red—brown streaking like observed plants. This study shows form group within Eutypella, associated dominant roots. is first known case affecting worldwide considered an expansion genus’ host range.