Fusarium decemcellulare Brick causes root rot of Cinnamomum camphora (Linn) Presl

Abstract Leaf chlorosis and root browning with root rot were observed on mature Cinnamomum camphora (Linn) Presl between 2021 and 2023 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China. Three strains of fungi consistently isolated from the diseased roots were selected for identification and pathogenicity test. They were identified as Fusarium decemcellulare Brick based on the morphology and phylogenetic analysis using combined sequence data. The pathogenicity of the strains was verified by inoculating on C. camphora seedings in pots. Fusarium decemcellulare was reisolated from the artificially inoculated roots of C. camphora seedings. To our knowledge, this is the first report that F. decemcellulare causes root rot on C. camphora worldwide and its potential threat should be monitored.