First report of Ceratocystis fimbriata causing wilt on Gmelina arborea in Costa Rica

Increased diseases outbreaks in Gmelina arborea (melina) are a threat to sustainability of commercial plantations. One main disease, known as 'melina sudden death', limits the growth and development of trees, causing losses of up to 40% in commercial plantation. However, the main cause of this disease was unknown, until now. Proof of Ceratocystis fimbriata as the aetiological agent of 'melina sudden death' is provided based on field records of disease symptoms, histopathological observation of infected tissue, morphological features of the fungus, maximum-likelihood phylogenetic inference of the ITS rDNA sequences and pathogenicity test conducted on GENFORES elite melina genotypes. Thus, the appropriate name for the disease should be Ceratocystis wilt. As far as we know, this is the first report of Ceratocystis wilt in melina caused by Ceratocystis fimbriata in Central America. This disease represents a serious threat to Costa Rica's forest industry, as well as in other Latin American countries.