Outbreak of Leaf Spot and Fruit Rot in Florida Strawberry Caused by <i>Neopestalotiopsis</i> spp.

Pestalotiopsis-like species have been reported affecting strawberry worldwide. Recently, severe and unprecedented outbreaks in Florida commercial fields where leaf, fruit, petiole, crown, root symptoms were observed, yield was severely affected. The taxonomic status of the fungus is confusing because it has gone through multiple reclassifications over years. Morphological characteristics, phylogenetic analyses, pathogenicity tests evaluated for isolates recovered from diseased plants Florida. Phylogenetic analyses derived combined internal transcribed spacer, β-tub, tef1 regions demonstrated that although there low genetic diversity among isolates, a clear separation two groups. first group included period several years, which identified as Neopestalotiopsis rosae. Most during recent genetically different may belong to new species. On potato dextrose agar, both groups produced white, circular, cottony colonies. From bottom, colonies white pale yellow sp. luteous orange N. Spores five-celled with three median versicolored cells. Mycelial growth spore production higher isolates. Isolates pathogenic roots crowns. However, proved more aggressive fruit leaf inoculation tests, confirming observations