First report of Hyphodermella rosae as causal agent of white rot of Philodendron inflorescences

Abstract

In Spring 2022, philodendron plants in South Italy showed rotting and drop of inflorescences. Inspecting the inner part of the inflorescences, abundant white mould was observed. Hyphodermella rosae was isolated from symptomatic tissues and found to be responsible of the disease after Koch’s postulate accomplishment. Morphological and molecular characterization by ITS, RBP and TEF sequencing, as well as further phylogenetic analyses, validated the identification of strain CREA OF 1276 among H. rosae. This work is the first report of H. rosae as causal agent of white rot in philodendron in Italy and worldwide and also represents a new description of pathogenic lifestyle of this corticoid species.