Recent advances related to poplar leaf spot and canker caused by Septoria musiva

The expansion of poplar culture in the north-central and northeastern regions of North America has been limited because many poplar clones are susceptible to the leaf spot and canker disease caused by the fungus Septoria musiva (teleomorph Mycosphaerella populorum). This review provides a brief historical account and summarizes the current state of knowledge focussing on developments in the areas of taxonomy and systematics, host associations and symptomatology. Since selection and deployment of resistant clones is one of the best disease-control strategies against S. musiva, recent advances in our knowledge of epidemiology, genetics and variability in virulence and aggressiveness of the populations of this fungus are also addressed