Acelino Couto Alfenas

The taxonomic boundaries of Ceratocystis species related to C. manginecans have remained contentious due to limited morphological variation, interfertility in laboratory mating studies, and the application of different species concepts. However, recent studies have highlighted significant differences among species recently reduced to synonymy with C. manginecans , including host associations and biological traits, all with important implications for disease management. We examined the phylogenetic relationships, genetic diversity and population structure of isolates considered broadly as Ceratocystis manginecans , specifically those treated as C. eucalypticola and C. manginecans in various previous studies. The study included a comprehensive dataset of isolates from multiple hosts and regions, including both historical and recent outbreaks of Ceratocystis canker and wilt disease. Multi‐locus phylogenetic analyses, supported by genotyping at 16 SSR loci, resolved two genetically distinct lineages: Lineage 1 (previously treated as C. eucalypticola ) and Lineage 2 (previously treated as C. manginecans ). These lineages showed structured genetic differentiation across geographic regions and host associations, consistent with previously reported differences in aggressiveness and infection biology. Detailed morphological comparisons also provided support for the two groupings. Although the results revealed the existence of two lineages among isolates currently treated as C. manginecans , discordance among loci and signals of admixture in a subset of isolates were consistent with evidence for mixed ancestry and/or incomplete lineage sorting. This suggests incomplete reproductive isolation that is contributing to current taxonomic ambiguity and confusion. The results support treating the isolates in the two groups as distinct lineages (Lineage 1 and 2) within C. manginecans , recognising their differences while maintaining a conservative taxonomic approach and thus facilitating important quarantine considerations and future studies focused on disease management.

Tectona grandis (teak) is a tree species highly appreciated for its high‐quality hardwood and versatile industrial applications. Despite clonal teak plantations showing several advantages, such as reduced rotation time and increased wood volume production, the genetic uniformity of plantations makes them more susceptible to diseases. Ceratocystis wilt caused by Ceratocystis manginecans has been the most prevalent disease on teak plantations, reducing tree growth rate, wood quality and value. Planting resistant genotypes is the most effective measure to mitigate losses caused by the disease. Thus, this work aimed to assess the resistance to Ceratocystis wilt of 12 teak clones commercially planted in Brazil, as well as the inheritance of resistance in teak open‐pollinated families. Five teak clones exhibited resistance to Ceratocystis wilt, and all investigated open‐pollinated teak families segregated resistance. The findings support the interpretation that resistance to Ceratocystis wilt in teak is a quantitative trait with additive gene effects in determining this trait. The information obtained in this work is an important contribution to directing the efforts of teak breeding programs in the attempt to reduce the losses caused by Ceratocystis wilt.

Xant homonas axonopodis pv. ricini is the major bacterial pathogen of castor bean ( Ricinus communis L.), an important source for oil production in several countries; only castor bean has been reported as its natural host. Recently, its pathotype strain ICMP 5747 was shown to cause disease in eucalypt plants and to group with Xanthomonas euvesicatoria in a multi-locus sequence analysis (MLSA), raising doubts about its taxonomic position. The objective of this study was to assemble the genome sequence of strain ICMP 5747 and employ it in MLSA using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods with four housekeeping genes, phylogenomics based on conserved homologous genes, and genome sequence comparisons against validly published or proposed Xanthomonas species to elucidate its taxonomic position. A 5.1 Mb draft genome sequence with a 65% GC content and 99.7% completeness was assembled. MLSA, phylogenomic reconstruction based on 368 conserved genes, and genome comparisons demonstrated that strain ICMP 5747 is more closely related to X. euvesicatoria strains than to the X. axonopodis type strain. Serendipitously, it was also found that the X. axonopodis pv . commiphoreae pathotype strain LMG 26789 is also more closely related to X. euvesicatoria strains. This study proposes the transfer of X. axonopodis pvs. ricini and commiphoreae to the X. euvesicatoria species, as X. euvesicatoria pv . ricini comb. nov. and X. euvesicatoria pv . commiphoreae comb. nov. to help establish the phylogenetic relationships among Xanthomonas species and determine the etiology of plant diseases.

Background: The expansion of clonal eucalypts forestry into new forest frontiers in Northeastern Brazil requires selecting genotypes adapted to local conditions, thereby reducing pressure on native biomes such as the Caatinga. This study evaluated genotype-by-environment (G×E) interaction across four sites in Alagoas State based on mean annual increment (MAI) and survival (SUR) using 40 clones. The REML/BLUP, HMRPGV, and GGE biplot methodologies were applied, and following the analyses, an empirical index combining MAI and survival rate was employed for clone selection. Results: A significant G×E interaction was detected, enabling the identification of two breeding zones and two mega-environments. Clones with high productive potential were selected. The HMRPGV method resulted in the highest genetic gain, while adjusting MAI by survival rate reshaped clone ranking and selection outcomes. Conclusion: These findings provide robust recommendations for Alagoas, fostering efficient land use, reducing pressure on the Caatinga biome, and supporting the sustainable expansion of the regional forest base.

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Argentina, Septoria reinamora on leaf spots of Mutisia spinosa. Australia, Cortinarius albofolliculus on mossy soil, Cortinarius descensoriformis among leaf litter, Cortinarius kaki among leaf litter, Cortinarius lissosporus in leaf litter, Cortinarius malogranatus in leaf litter, Cortinarius meletlac on soil in mixed forest, Cortinarius sebosioides in long decayed wood litter, Helicogermslita australiensis as an endophyte from healthy leaves of Archontophoenix cunninghamiana, Puccinia clemensiorum on culms of Eleocharis ochrostachys, Puccinia geethae on leaves of Cyperus brevifolius, Puccinia marjaniae on leaves of Nymphoides indica, Puccinia scleriae-rugosae on leaves of Scleria rugosa. Brazil, Dactylaria calliandrae on living leaf of Calliandra tweediei, Mucor cerradoensis from soil, Musicillium palmae on living leaves of unidentified palm species, Neodendryphiella agapanthi from stalks of Agapanthus praecox, Parafusicladium riodejaneiroanum on living leaves of native bamboo, Parapenidiella melastomatis on living leaves of unidentified Melastomataceae, Pararamichloridium ouropretoense on living leaves of unidentified Poaceae, Pentagonomyces endophyticus (incl. Pentagonomyces gen. nov.) as endophytic from roots of Musa acuminata, Polyschema endophytica from healthy roots of coffee plant, Purimyces endophyticus as root endophyte of Cattleya locatellii, Ramularia rhododendri on living leaves of Rhododendron sp., Staphylotrichum soli from soil, Trichoderma sexdentis from leaves inside a nest of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa, Wiesneriomyces soli from soil. France, Cosmospora nemaniae on dead or effete stromata of Nemania cf. colliculosa, Inocybe alnobetulae in subalpine green alder stands, Stylonectria hygrophila on dead twigs of Betula pubescens. Germany, Coniochaeta corticalis from bark humus, Coniochaeta fermentaria from fermentation residues from biogas plants, Coniochaeta fibricola from softwood fibres, Coniochaeta weberae from bark humus, Inocybe canicularis on calcareous to more acidic soil with conifers. Iceland, Inocybe islandica associated with Dryas octopetala. India, Vishniacozyma indica on dead twigs. Iran, Botryotrichum lycii on rotten leaf of Lycium depressum. Italy, Cuphophyllus dolomiticus among Salix retusa, Salix reticulata and Dryas octopetala, Inocybe subentolomospora on moss with the presence of Alnus incana, Populus nigra and Salix spp. Malaysia, Catenulostroma pellitae on leaf spots of Eucalyptus pellita. Mexico, Colletotrichum mexicanus from fruit of Persea americana cv. Hass. New Caledonia (France), Cortinarius caeloculus, Cortinarius luteigemellus and Cortinarius perpensus on soil under Nothofagus aequilateralis. New Zealand, Cytospora braithwaitei on branch of Malus domestica. Pakistan, Callistosporium khalidii on humus soil, Entoloma lilacinum on litter in conifer forest, Laccaria decolorans on litter in broad-leaved subtropical forest. Poland, Pseudoneoconiothyrium modrzynanum from resin of Larix decidua ssp. polonica, Tuberculiforma enigmatica isolated from sooty mould community on Quercus robur leaves. Portugal, Clavulus hemisphaericus (incl. Clavulus gen. nov.) on mossy slopes and under Laurus leaf litter, Entoloma daegae on sandy, granitic soil, Hygrocybe aurantiocitrina under laurel forest, Hygrocybe sanguineolutea gregarious in laurel forest, Hygrocybe vulcanica on mossy areas of laurel forest areas, Pachyphlodes algarvensis on sandy soil under Cistus salvifolius, Quercus suber and Pinus pinea. South Africa, Amycosphaerella podalyriae on leaf of Podalyria calyptrata, Erythrobasidium eucalypti from the gut of Gonipterus sp., Letendraea goniomae on leaves of Gonioma kamassi, Pezicula brabeji and Sphaerulina brabeji on twigs of Brabejum stellatifolium, Stachybotrys conicosiae on dead flower head of Conicosia elongata, Talaromyces ignescens from soil. Spain, Cortinarius phaeobrunneus on soil under Quercus ilex and Q. faginea, Inocybe pini-halepensis among grass and fallen leaves of Pinus halepensis, Inocybe subporcorum in sandy soils under Quercus ilex subsp. ballota and Pinus pinaster, Mycena morenoi on dead leaves of Betula pubescens and Salix atrocinerea, Pachyphlodes iberica on clayey and loamy soil under Quercus ilex and Quercus rotundifolia, Ramariopsis coronata in laurel forest. Switzerland, Inocybe minata in a bog on very wet acidic soil with Salix spp. and Betula spp. Thailand, Hypocrella khonsanitii on scale insects (Coccidae), Petchiella hymenopterorum on hymenopteran pupae in the nest (Hymenoptera). Trinidad and Tobago, Neodevriesia maravalensis from office swab. Türkiye, Russula anatolica under Quercus vulcanica. UK, Paracylindrosporium dactylorhizae (incl. Paracylindrosporium gen. nov.) on leaf spots of Dactylorhiza sp., Niesslia hepworthiae and Niesslia libertiae on living leaves of Libertia grandiflora. Ukraine, Lichenohendersonia cetrariae on thallus of terricolous Cetraria aculeata. USA, Atromagnispora indianensis (incl. Atromagnispora gen. nov.) on submerged wood in a freshwater stream, Cytospora michiganensis from utility room (settle plate), Exophiala aeris from air (settle plate), Hongoboletus americanus from mixed pine-hardwood forest, Lorrainsmithia pennsylvanica from bedroom, air, Superstratomyces massachusettsanus from lyse buffer. Vietnam, Aspergillus halopiscium on dry marine anchovy Stolephorus commersonnii. Morphological and culture characteristics are supported by DNA barcodes.

Myrtle rust caused by Austropuccinia psidii is one of the most important diseases affecting eucalypts (Eucalyptus spp. and Corymbia spp.) in Brazil. Asexual spores of the myrtle pathogen, urediniospores, give rise to infection of young tissues (e.g., leaf, stem, flower and fruit) of the myrtaceous hosts. Symptoms of myrtle rust disease are necrosis and leaf deformation, and death of the apical shoots, whereas the primary diagnostic signs of myrtle rust disease are yellow urediniospores, which are formed by the myrtle rust pathogen on the infected organs. Occasionally, teliospores are formed in brown pustules, usually at higher temperatures on more mature leaves of susceptible hosts, and these teliospores can germinate to produce basidia that produce basidiospores. Previous studies have demonstrated that genetic recombination in A. psidii was associated with basidiospores of the South African and Pandemic biotypes of A. psidii on rose apple (Syzygium jambos). However, it remains unconfirmed whether basidospore‐derived infection and genetic recombination also occur within the most damaging biotype of A. psidii in Brazil. Furthermore, direct observation of basidiospore‐associated infection by A. psidii has not been previously reported. In this study, we found no evidence of basidiospore germination and/or germ tube penetration into the host tissue of eucalypt (E. urophylla) and rose apple (S. jambos) using scanning electron microscopic observations, raising questions about the role of basidiospores in the life cycle of A. psidii in Brazil.

This study aimed to assess the diversity, genetic structure and fungicide (thiophanate‐methyl and iprodione) sensitivity of Botrytis cinerea populations from Brazilian eucalypt nurseries. Among 106 isolates obtained from eight commercial nurseries in five Brazilian states, 77 haplotypes were identified. The frequency and distribution of transposons Boty and Flipper , the mating‐type alleles MAT1‐1 and MAT1‐2 , and inter‐simple sequence repeat (ISSR) marker analyses revealed different levels of genetic diversity and genetic structure among nurseries. Significant linkage disequilibrium in almost all subpopulations indicates a predominantly asexual reproductive mode in the eucalypt nurseries. However, the distribution of the mating‐type alleles MAT1‐1 and MAT1‐2 differed significantly from the expected 1:1 ratio for the total population, as well as for two of the nurseries evaluated, demonstrating a potential for recombination. Isolates resistant to at least one of the evaluated fungicides were detected in almost all nurseries. Of a total of 96 isolates screened for fungicide resistance, 1% were resistant only to thiophanate‐methyl, 7.3% were resistant only to iprodione and 41.6% were resistant to both fungicides. Analysis of molecular variance showed that genetic variation of B. cinerea populations was more related to nurseries than to states of origin. Both hierarchical cluster analysis and discriminant analysis of principal components identified four main genetic groups associated with fungicide‐resistant phenotypes. These findings provide evidence that B. cinerea populations from eight Brazilian eucalypt nurseries are highly diverse, structured and exhibit genetic and phenotypic singularities that should be considered when designing disease management strategies.

Wounds are crucial entry points for infection by Ceratocystis spp. Consequently, tool disinfestation is a crucial practice in disease management, especially for host crops such as kiwifruit, teak, mango and cacao, which require cultural practices that cause wounds, such as pruning and thinning. Although conventional sanitisers, such as sodium hypochlorite, are recommended for controlling Ceratocystis wilt, their effectiveness on tools lacks scientific validation. Additionally, there is no consensus on the optimal exposure time and active ingredient concentration for effective disinfestation. Our study confirmed that C. fimbriata can be mechanically spread from diseased to healthy plants via pruning shears. We then evaluated the effectiveness of conventional sanitisers and hot water (80°C) for the disinfestation of pruning shears and scalpels on kiwifruit plants. Firstly, in vitro comparisons revealed that ammonium chloride solution and hot water effectively inhibited the mycelial growth of the fungus. Furthermore, immersing tools in hot water (80°C for 15 s) was the only effective disinfestation method, while sodium hypochlorite and other conventional sanitisers failed to eliminate the pathogen at the dosages and exposure times tested. Based on these findings, a revision of disinfestation protocols for Ceratocystis wilt is recommended, with further studies needed to evaluate different concentrations and exposure times. In conclusion, hot water is an effective alternative to conventional sanitisers in preventing the mechanical spread of the pathogen.