First report of Apiognomonia errabunda on Quercus ilex in Algeria

Anthracnose of holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) was studied in several sites located in Belezma National Park (Eastern Algeria). Disease severity varied according to the site, but symptoms were particularly frequent on leaves supported by south-facing twigs. Leaves inserted on the distal part of twigs were more affected by anthracnose regardless of twigs’ position on trees. The fungal isolates obtained from damaged tissues were sorted to five morphotypes and identified as Apiognomonia errabunda based on morphological characteristics and ITS sequencing. This is the first record of the occurrence of the fungus Apiognomonia errabunda on Quercus ilex in Algeria. Particular climatic conditions marked by late spring rains followed by high temperatures may play a key role in the increased leaf vulnerability of Q. ilex to infection

First report of Apiognomonia errabunda on Quercus ilex in Algeria

Anthracnose of holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) was studied in several sites located in Belezma National Park (Eastern Algeria). Disease severity varied according to the site, but symptoms were particularly frequent on leaves supported by south-facing twigs. Leaves inserted on the distal part of twigs were more affected by anthracnose regardless of twigs’ position on trees. The fungal isolates obtained from damaged tissues were sorted to five morphotypes and identified as Apiognomonia errabunda based on morphological characteristics and ITS sequencing. This is the first record of the occurrence of the fungus Apiognomonia errabunda on Quercus ilex in Algeria. Particular climatic conditions marked by late spring rains followed by high temperatures may play a key role in the increased leaf vulnerability of Q. ilex to infection

Formulation of the endophytic fungus Cladosporium oxysporum Berk. & M.A. Curtis, isolated from Euphorbia bupleuroides subsp. luteola, as a new biocontrol tool against the black bean aphid (Aphis fabae Scop.)

Two formulations containing culture filtrates and conidial suspensions of the endophytic fungus Cladosporium oxysporum Berk. & M.A. Curtis, isolated previously from stems of Euphorbia bupleuroides subsp. luteola (Kralik) Maire, were experimentally tested for their aphicid activity against the black bean aphid Aphis fabae Scop. found in Algeria. It was shown that invert emulsions are more effective against aphids, than using aqueous suspensions. This was especially true for formulations containing culture filtrates. The relatively insignificant mortalities obtained by formulations containing conidial suspensions indicated a low infectious potential towards the aphids. The proteolytic activity seemed to be more important than the chitinolytic activity of the fungus against the black bean aphid A. fabae