First report of Cryptocline taxicola (Helotiales: Helotiaceae) causing needle cast disease on common yew in Algeria

Abstract

This short report describes the occurrence of Cryptocline taxicola (Allesch.) Petr. causing needle cast on Taxus baccata L. trees in natural stands in Algeria. Symptoms of fungal infection were observed on the trees' crowns. Closer inspection of collected needles showed the presence of dark brown fungal fruiting bodies on the upper and the lower sides of the needles. The visual symptoms and the microscopical study allowed the fungus to be identified as C. taxicola. This is the first report of this pathogen in Algeria. A detailed description of the fungus is given.