Production of Anthraquinone Derivatives by Phoma Tracheiphila

‘Mal secco’ caused by Phoma tracheiphila (Petri) Kanc. et Ghick. is a vascular disease of citrus occurring in the Mediterranean areas. Leaves and twigs suddenly wilt and dry, frequently in one section of the tree. Large branches and finally the whole tree may die back in few years. In culture two types of strains can be distinguished: chromogenic and non chromogenic (Baldacci, 1950). Several of the substances responsible for the chromogenic pigmentation were identified (Quilico et al., 1952; Balli o et al., 1979; Lerario et al., 1986). The present study was designed to determine the ability of the chromogenic strains to produce an-thraquinones on different media in vitro.