Alternaria alternata causing necrosis on leaves, fruits, and pedicels of olive plants in Italy

This paper is the first report of symptoms caused by Alternaria alternata on aboveground organs of olive plants in Italy. On leaves, symptoms included spots and necroses frequently associated with damage caused by the olive thrips (Liothrips oleae). On fruits, symptoms included browning and necroses of pedicels, necroses of fruitlets soon after fruit set, and rot and mummification of mature fruit. Several isolates of A. alternata with identical morphological features and DNA sequences were associated with all the different symptoms. The impacts of A. alternata on olive production can be severe, and infections to fruit pedicels are particularly relevant as they cause severe fruit fall soon after fruit set.