Characterization of Botryosphaeriaceae species associated with grapevines in Uruguay

Isolates with conidial morphologies corresponding to botryosphaeriaceous species were obtained from adult grapevines (Vitis vinifera) showing symptoms of die-back and esca in vineyards from all grape-growing regions of Uruguay and also from canes of asymptomatic mother plants in a commercial nursery. The morphological description of some of the anamorphs matched with their ITS phylogeny, which allowed for the identification of Botryosphaeria dothidea, Diplodia seriata, and Neofusicoccum luteum. Combined analysis of the ITS region and partial translation elongation factor further confirmed the presence of Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Neofusicoccum australe. Isolates belonging with the Neofusicoccum parvum/ribis complex were identified as N. parvum and N. kwambonambiense based on sequence analysis of the RNA polymerase II subunit (RPB2). Lasiodiplodia theobromae, N. parvum, N. kwambonambiense and N. australe are described for the first time from grapevines in Uruguay, while N. kwambonambiense is reported in a different territory and host from those in which this cryptic species was originally described.