Neopestalotiopsis iberica induces leaf spots on Synsepalum dulcificum in China

Synsepalum dulcificum is one of the well‐known edible and ornamental plants with its unique flavour changing function of sour taste. In 2021, a new leaf spot disease was observed on S. dulcificum during a field survey in Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China. The pathogen was isolated and identified using morphological examination and phylogeny based on multi‐gene sequences analysis of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS), translation elongation factor 1‐alpha (TEF), and beta‐ tubulin (TUB) genes. The isolates were identified as Neopestalotiopsis iberica. The pathogenicity of N. iberica on S. dulcificum was validated fulfilling Koch's postulates, causing leaf spots disease. To our knowledge, this represents the first report of leaf spot disease on S. dulcificum caused by N. iberica worldwide.