Phyllosticta is an Ascomycete fungus in the Dothideomycetes clade. Phyllosticta spp. have globally been recorded as endophytes, plant pathogens and saprobes from a wide range of plant hosts. Phyllosticta citricarpa is a plant pathogen found in several areas of the globe, which causes an important diseases called citrus black spot. Due to its importance, citrus black spot has been subjected to phytosanitary legislation in the European Union and the U.S.A. The species affects fruits and leaves of several citrus hosts causing various symptoms. Phyllosticta citricarpa is frequently confused with P. capitalensis, which is a non-pathogenic endophyte, commonly isolated from citrus leaves and fruits. Considering his economic importance, whole genome sequences are needed to improve our understanding of the underlying differences among species and isolates collected in different areas, about pathogenicity and their evolutionary separation. These data will also allow for the development of robust DNA barcodes for quick detection and will facilitate further research on this important citrus pathogenic and non-pathogenic species.
Genome Reference(s)
Guarnaccia V, Gehrmann T, Silva-Junior GJ, Fourie PH, Haridas S, Vu D, Spatafora J, Martin FM, Robert V, Grigoriev IV, Groenewald JZ, Crous PW
Phyllosticta citricarpa and sister species of global importance to Citrus.
Mol Plant Pathol. 2019 Dec;20(12):1619-1635. doi: 10.1111/mpp.12861