Leaf spot, crown rot and root rot caused by Neopestalotiopsis rosae in Fragaria vesca in Italy

In Italy, small-fruit organic cultivation is a high-value niche sector. However, research evidence on diseases and pathogens threatening woodland strawberry is still missing. In 2024, a severe wilt associated with root rot, crown rot and leaf spot occurred on woodland strawberry plants (var. Tondina) from organic cropping systems in southern Italy. Symptoms closely resembled those reported in other countries for strawberry leaf spot and crown rot disease. The disease incidence was estimated at > 65%. To elucidate its aetiology, the present study was conducted. Pure fungal isolates were obtained from symptomatic plants. Colonies had a circular, white, cottony surface mycelium and a pale-luteous to orange reverse pigmentation, closely matching Neopestalotiopsis rosae. Phylogeny based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA, the β-tubulin (tub2) and the translation elongation factor 1α (tef1-α) barcodes confirmed the morphological identification of all isolates from this study, which showed 99%–100% homology with N. rosae. Following pathogenicity tests, symptoms similar to those observed in the field were reproduced on Tondina woodland strawberry plants, and the same pathogen was re-isolated from inoculated plants, fulfilling Koch's postulates. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of N. rosae causing leaf spot, crown rot and root rot disease in woodland strawberry in Italy and worldwide. Further studies are recommended to assess the susceptibility of diverse woodland strawberry varieties to N. rosae infections and uncover appropriate sustainable control strategies.