Pathogenicity, Distribution, Sources of Inoculum, and Infection Courts ofBotryosphaeria dothideaon Pistachio

A panicle and shoot blight disease caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea is reported for the first time on pistachio in California. The disease was prevalent in northern counties (Butte, Tehama, and Glenn) and sporadic in southern counties (Madera, Fresno, Kings, and Kern). In early spring, symptoms of panicle and shoot blight resulted from continued activity of the pathogen in buds infected the previous summer and fall. Shoot blight symptoms included dark brown to black lesions at the base of current-season shoots, followed by the wilting and drying of leaves, which remained attached to their shoots. Particle and shoot infections caused perennial cankers (...)