Species of the Genera Neopestalotiopsis and Alternaria as Dominant Pathogen Species Attacking Mastic Trees (Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia)

Between 2018 and 2021, several mastic trees (Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia) sampled in the field nursery of Chios Mastiha Growers Association (CMGA) were analyzed to determine cause dominant diseases. Symptoms included defoliation, leaf, twig blight, wilting and/or apoplexy young hardwood cuttings. Moreover, brown discoloration had also been observed on older woody parts such as branches tree trunks. Several pathogens have isolated identified causing agents. Neopestalotiopsis Alternaria species consistently from necrotic tissues (branches, twigs, leaves) nursery. All fungal isolates’ pathogenicity was confirmed by applying Koch’s postulates under glasshouse conditions. Fungal sequence analyses ITS, β-tubulin, histone gene regions. further sequencing endopolygalacturonase (endoPG) major allergen (Alta1) genes. More specifically, isolates clavispora, arborescens, A. alternata based morphological features analyses. This is first report N. P. Chia.