Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS) has recently been recorded in the Gallipoli and Lecce areas of Apulia Region (Italy), and the disease is associated with several pathogenic bacteria (Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca strain CoDiRO) and fungi (Phaeoacremonium spp., Neofusicoccum parvum and Pleurostomophora richardsiae). The aim of this work was to carry out a survey of fungal pathogens associated with OQDS, and to assess the effect of some chemicals (fungicides and fertilizers) on controlling the disease. Three monthly treatments (January – March) with Fenbuconazol, Fosetyl-Al, Mancozeb and a fertilizer (copper + zinc complex + citric acid) were sprayed or injected to treat diseased fifty to seventy-year-old Ogliarola salentina var. olive trees, and samples were collected for analysis. The isolated fungi were subjected to morphological and molecular identification.
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In molecular assay the obtained DNA was a cluster comprising D1/D2 regions, actin and β-tubulin genes. The results showed no differences between the trees treated with the tested compounds and the control. Sixty-five percent of the isolated fungi were identified as Penicillium spp. (23.57%), Pleurostomophora richardsiae (12.14%), Paraconiothyrium spp. (9.28%), Phaeomoniella spp. (7.14%) and Cosmopora sp. (3.7%). The sequenced genes were unable to identify 35% of the fungi. Further studies are needed in order to evaluate new chemical compounds and to identify unidentified fungi.
