Guignardia aesculi on species of Aesculus: new records from Europe and Asia

Abstract

New localities of Guignardia aesculi on leaves of seven Aesculus species (xcarnea, flava, hippocastanum, xneglecta, parviflora, pavia, turbinata) were recorded in Europe. The teleomorph was found on overwintered leaves of A. hippocastanum in Slovakia. The occurrence of the Guignardia leaf blotch on A. hippocastanum and A. turbinata was also continued for the first time in South Korea. The causal fungus Guignardia aesculi and its conidial anamorph Phyllosticta sphaeropsoidea and spermatial synanarnorph Leptodothiorella aescuticolo are described in detail and illustrated. Pathogenicity of the fungus was confirmed by inoculating horse chestnut leaves with conidia.