Diversity of Diaporthe species associated with post-harvest decay on kiwifruit in China.

Diversity of eight Diaporthe species, including four new host species, was identified in kiwifruit decay in China, with D. eres being the most abundant at 58.9%.

• Why it matters: Kiwifruit post-harvest decay severely impacts China's kiwifruit industry, and understanding pathogen diversity is essential for developing effective management strategies.
• What they did: Researchers analyzed 325 Diaporthe isolates using ITS sequences, multi-locus phylogenetic analysis, and morphological observations to identify eight species and assess their pathogenicity on kiwifruit, apple, and citrus.
• The result: All eight species infected kiwifruit and apple, with D. amygdali and D. hongkongensis showing the highest virulence on kiwifruit, and six species, including D. tulliensis and D. arecae, cross-infecting citrus, highlighting their potential for integrated disease control.