Fungi associated with the decline and death of Phoenix canariensis in Mexico City

The decline and death of palms (Phoenix canariensis) in Mexico City is a problem that has increased in the last five years, causing the death of more than 500 palms and others with different degrees of damage. The causal agent has not been determined, so the present study aimed to identify the associated fungi of the decline and death of palms (Phoenix canariensis) in Mexico City. From February to August 2022, samples of symptomatic plant tissue from the trunk, petiole, rachis, and leaflets were collected at nine representative sampling sites in seven Boroughs of Mexico City. A total of 144 fungal isolates were obtained, comprising 11 different species. The species with the highest frequency were: Nalanthamala vermoesenii, Lasiodiplodia sp., Neopestalotiopsis sp., and Serenomyces sp., present mainly on the petiole and rachis; and Alternaria alternata and Phoma glomerata in the leaflets, these species have been reported as causative agents of different diseases in other countries and are reported for the first time in Mexico associated with P. canariensis. The information generated will allow establishing management measures tending to reduce the death of palms.