A Novel Species of With Inhibitory Effects Against and Fungal Pathogens Inducing Citrus Diseases.

A novel species of , proposed as . sp.nov was isolated from soil collected in Linzhi Town, Linzhi County, Tibet Autonomous Region, China. DNA sequence analyses from eight different gene regions indicate that the isolate represents a novel species and most closely related to . . The phylogenetic analysis based on a concatenated dataset of three genes, ITS, , and , also confirmed the placement of the novel species within the section of the genus . Differences in morphology among similar species are detailed and single gene phylogenies based on ITS, and genes as well as a multi-loci gene phylogeny are presented. Cultural studies were performed to study inhibitory activities on plant pathogens. The results reveal a notable antifungal activity against causing rice blast with an inhibition rate up to 77%, while for other three citrus pathogens, , , and , inhibition rate was 40, 50, and 55% respectively. No noticeable effects were observed for , , and . Interestingly, unlike other reported members of , . showed no antagonistic effect on root rotting fungi. The new taxon isolated here has the potential to be used as a biocontrol agent especially for economically important phytopathogens or emerging pathogens on diseases occurring on citrus or rice.