Calonectria species from China

Calonectria leaf blight is one of the most severe diseases in Eucalyptus plantations and nurseries worldwide (Crous 2002, Old et al. 2003, Chen et al. 2011). However, the molecular mechanisms of the infection process and pathogenesis of Calonectria to Eucalyptus is not well understood. There are 34 Calonectria species found in China, most of these are associated with severe leaf diseases on Eucalyptus. Of these species, C. pentaseptata is one of the most aggressive pathogens in both Eucalyptus plantations and nurseries in South China (Chen et al. 2011; Lombard et al. 2015, Li et al. 2017). The previous pathogenetic studies indicated that isolates of C. pentaseptata expressed different levels of virulence on the same Eucalyptus genotype. In this project, we aim to explore the virulence factors of C. pentaseptata using whole genome comparisons and population genomic analyses. The findings from this project will improve current understanding of the molecular mechanisms of pathogenicity of C. pentaseptata. This information will help in the long-term disease management strategies and improve breeding for resistant of Eucalyptus to this devastating and important pathogen.