Evidence that Eutypa lata and other diatrypaceous species occur in New South Wales vineyards

Eutypa dieback, caused by the fungus Eutypa lata is a serious disease of grapevines that affects vineyard productivity and longevity. Grapevines displaying foliar symptoms typical of Eutypa dieback or evidence of dead spurs, cankers, or discoloured vascular tissue, were surveyed from 77 vineyards throughout New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Fungal cultures were tentatively identified based on cultural morphology, before further identification using sequence analysis of rDNA internal transcribed spacer regions. E. lata and several other species from the Diatrypaceae including Cryptovalsa ampelina, and species of Eutypella and Diatrypella were isolated from diseased grapevines. Eutypa dieback was found to be more widespread in NSW than first thought, with confirmation that the disease is present both in the Central Ranges and southern NSW districts, regions recognised for their cooler climates and higher annual rainfall, both of which favour the growth of E. lata.