Botryosphaeriaceae in woody hosts: detection, epidemiology, and integrated management strategies

The family Botryosphaeriaceae comprises destructive fungal pathogens that cause a wide range of disease symptoms in numerous woody plants, including ornamentals, forest trees, and fruit and nut crops. These fungi typically reside as latent endophytes within host tissues, remaining asymptomatic until the host is weakened by biotic or abiotic stress. Stress factors such as drought, extreme temperatures, freezing injury, mechanical damage, insect activity, and poor cultural practices often trigger the transition to a pathogenic state. Once infection is initiated, disease symptoms progress, leading to branch dieback, tree death, and significant economic losses in nurseries, orchards, and landscape. Accurate and timely detection of pathogens is crucial for the effective management of disease. Morphological and molecular techniques are commonly used to identify Botryosphaeriaceae species. Here, we discuss the recent advancements in PCR-based diagnostics and DNA barcoding that have improved early detection and offer better species resolution in this family. We further discuss biotic and abiotic factors contributing to disease outbreaks and severity. We also explore integrated management strategies, which include cultural practices, chemical and biological management strategies, selection of resistant cultivars, control of insects and pests, and quarantine measures. By understanding the interactions between stress conditions and disease expression, proactive, integrated, and environmentally sound strategies can be developed to manage these fungal pathogens. A system-based approach that integrates multiple available tools offers sustainable and long-term solutions for managing diseases caused by members of the Botryosphaeriaceae in woody plant systems.