First report of Pseudopestalotiopsis camelliae-sinensis causing leaf blight diseases on Schleichera oleosa (new global host record).

A new leaf blight disease in Schleichera oleosa seedlings was detected in a Kerala state forest nursery, India. Through morphological, cultural characterization, and multi-gene phylogenetic analysis, the fungal pathogen was identified as Pseudopestalotiopsis camelliae-sinensis, the first report on Schleichera in India. Koch's postulates were fulfilled. Research attention is required to manage emerging seedling diseases for quality planting materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]