Grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) represent a complex, and hard to manage plant pathological problem in viticulture worldwide. Numerous xylem-inhabiting and other phytopathogenic fungi have already been detected to be associated with GTDs; among these, some species of the Botryosphaeriaceae seem to be the most important pathogens involved in this disease complex. To identify fungal species associated with GTDs in Hungarian vineyards, a total of 230 wood samples were collected from vines exhibiting typical GTD symptoms in 2013-2016. Fungal colonies isolated from these samples were identified based on their nrDNA ITS and EF1-α sequences. Pine needle medium was successfully used to induce pycnidial production in some of the non-sporulating strains. Pathogenicity tests were performed using approx. 5-month old shoots of 1.5 year old, asymptomatic potted vines produced in a greenhouse. In addition to well-known species of the Botryosphaeriaceae, and other fungi described as being associated with GTDs in different parts of the world, this work revealed the presence of two little known species, Seimatosporium vitis and Dothiorella omnivora, in grapevine exhibiting trunk disease symptoms in Hungary. All the strains of both species sporulated well on pine needle medium and infected grapevine shoots during pathogenicity tests.
This work was supported by GINOP-2.3.2-15-2016-00061 project.