First Report of Diaporthe eres Associated with Cane Blight of Grapevine (Vitis vinifera) in Italy

In March 2014, in a ‘Trebbiano’ vineyard in the province of Florence (Tuscany, Italy), 15% of the grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) showed 1-year old canes with bleached areas, sometimes surrounded by dark margins, irregular dark blotches, and several dead buds. Canes were covered by black pycnidia, and occasionally cracks on the cortex were evident. Woody tissues under the bark were necrotic and canes broke easily. o the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of D. eres causing cane blight of grapevine in Italy.