Reidentification of the causal agent and addition of new symptoms of black leaf blight in fig tree in Japan

Abstract In August 2007, twig blight, branch canker, dieback, and fruit rot were observed in fig trees (cv. Toyomitsuhime) with black leaf blight in Japan. All isolates from each symptomatic part were identified as the fungi causing this disease. These symptoms were reproduced after inoculating their isolates; isolates were then reisolated. We demonstrated this fungus caused new symptoms. The isolates were re-evaluated based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of concatenated rDNA-ITS, EF1-α, TUB2, and RPB2 partial sequences. They were phylogenetically classified as a new independent clade. We propose a new species of the fungus as Neofusicoccum ficicola.