INTRODUCTION

Botryosphaeriaceae is a family of fungi that belong to the order Botryosphaeriales. A total of 58 genera have been described in the family Botryosphaeriaceae and 240 species have been identified in the genus Botryosphaeria [1]. Botryosphaeria is a wide genus in the family Botryosphaeriaceae and was first reported by Cesati and de Notaris [2]. Botryosphaeria has been reported to be a plant pathogenic, endophytic, and saprobic fungus [3-5], and various species of this genus are pathogens of different crops and important trees worldwide [6]. Several species have been shown to act as opportunistic pathogens with little symptoms or as endophytes without symptoms under stressful circumstances [6]. Botryosphaeria dothidea from the genus Botryosphaeria, is known for its widespread distribution to a large number of hosts [4,6,7]. Moreover, B. dothidea was reported to cause disease in several crops such as apple and plumcot trees in Korea [8,9]. However, Botryosphaeria comprises a variety of morphologically diverse pathogens, endophytes, and saprobes that thrive primarily on woody hosts. Much of the interest in these fungi has centered on the systematics of species and genera due to their frequent association with plant diseases [4].

In this study, we report Botryosphaeria kuwatsukai which was obtained from apple tree barks during exploration of fungi in Korea. Cultural and morphological characteristics and molecular phylogeny of B. kuwatsukai strains were described. This species is a new record in Korea.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION