The genus Phyllosticta includes both endophytic and phytopathogenic species that occur on a broad range of plant hosts, including Citrus. Some pathogenic species cause severe disease, such as Phyllosticta citricarpa , the causal agent of Citrus Black Spot (CBS). In contrast, other species, such as Phyllosticta capitalensis , have an endophytic lifestyle in numerous plant hosts. Carbon utilization capabilities are hypothesized to influence both host range and lifestyle, and are in part determined by the set of Carbohydrate Active Enzyme (CAZyme) encoding genes of a species. In this study, carbon utilization capabilities of five Phyllosticta species were determined, as well as the CAZyme repertoire (CAZome) encoded in their genomes. Little variation was found among species in terms of carbon utilization capabilities and CAZome. However, one of the tested carbon sources, sugar beet pulp (SBP), inhibited growth of the plant pathogens, also when combined with another carbon source, while endophytic species remained unaffected. • Phyllosticta spp. alkalize their local environment on synthetic media. • Sugar beet pulp inhibits growth of Phyllosticta spp. pathogenic to Citrus. • The CAZome of Phyllosticta spp. is more extensive than previously reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]