The Thin Line between Pathogenicity and Endophytism: The Case of Lasiodiplodia theobromae

Maria Michela Salvatore, Anna Andolfi and Rosario Nicoletti
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Maria Michela Salvatore: Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, 80126 Naples, Italy
Anna Andolfi: Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, 80126 Naples, Italy
Rosario Nicoletti: Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Centre for Olive, Fruit and Citrus Crops, 81100 Caserta, Italy

Agriculture, 2020, vol. 10, issue 10, 1-22

Abstract: Many fungi reported for endophytic occurrence are better known as plant pathogens on different crops, raising questions about their actual relationships with the hosts and other plants in the biocoenosis and about the factors underlying the lifestyle shift. This paper offers an overview of the endophytic occurrence of Lasiodiplodia theobromae (Dothideomycetes, Botryosphaeriaceae), a species known to be able to colonize many plants as both an endophyte and a pathogen. Prevalently spread in tropical and subtropical areas, there are concerns that it may propagate to the temperate region following global warming and the increasing trade of plant materials. The state of the art concerning the biochemical properties of endophytic strains of this species is also examined with reference to a range of biotechnological applications.

Keywords: endophytic fungi; mutualism; plant fitness; latent pathogens; Botryosphaeria rhodina; Botryodiplodia theobromae (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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