Molecular characterisation and pathogenicity of Aspergillus Sect. Nigri causing Aspergillus vine canker of table grapes in Italy

hirty-two isolates belonging to black aspergilli (Aspergillus section Nigri) associated to vine canker disease of grapevine were collected in seven vineyards located in southeastern Sicily (Italy). Molecular analysis was performed to identify the isolates by multilocus sequence analysis. Amplification of part of the ?-tubulin gene (benA) and partial calmodulin (CaM) gene were performed using the Bt2a, Bt2b and CL1, CL2A primers, respectively. Molecular characterisation showed a high distribution of Aspergillus niger "aggregate" species on grapes in Sicily and in particular of A. niger (21 isolates), A. tubingensis (9 isolates), and A. carbonarius (2 isolates). The 21 isolates of A. niger found to belong within the newly described cryptic species A. awamori. Six isolates (3 of A. tubingensis, 2 of A. carbonarius, and 1 of A. niger) were used in pathogenicity studies on mature canes of cv. Italia grape. All species caused Aspergillus vine canker equally well, with no differences in virulence.