Identification and Characterization of Fungal Pathogens Causing Trunk and Branch Cankers of Almond Trees in Morocco

Canker symptoms were observed on almond trees in the Fez-Meknes region, Morocco. Isolations conducted from infected branch and trunk showing internal external brown lesions. Four representative fungal isolates screened, their identities confirmed by cultural traits sequence analysis of DNA using two genes, ITS region (internal transcribed spacer) calmodulin (cmdA). The identified fungi Curvularia hawaiiensis, Fusarium ambrosium, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Chondrestereum purpureum. pathogenicity test twigs revealed that these species pathogenic to host with different degrees virulence, theobromae as most virulent causing longest necrotic lesion (285.17 mm) death twigs. Physiological above-mentioned showed optimum mycelium growth response at temperatures varies 10 35 °C, while pH ranges between 3.0 8.0. This study confirms presence canker pathogens trees, which will contribute valuable information improve understanding contemporary status thus helping improvement management orchards. To our knowledge, all represent new records Morocco some them are for first time world.