Genetic variation among Phyllosticta strains isolated from citrus in Florida that are pathogenic or nonpathogenic to citrus

Citrus black spot is an emerging disease in Florida since 2010. The causal agent is Phyllosticta citricarpa (teleomorph Guignardia citricarpa), but non-pathogenic P. capitalensis (teleomorph often referred to as G. mangiferae) is often isolated from black spot lesions. Florida isolates of P. citricarpa and P. capitalensis from citrus have not been characterized in detail. In this study, Phyllosticta species isolated from Florida citrus were compared with worldwide isolates using multi-locus sequencing of four conserved loci (rDNA ITS, TEF1, ACT, and GPDH genes). Moreover, the diversity within ...