Occurrence of the wattle wilt pathogen,Ceratocystis albifundus on native South African trees

Ceratocystis albifundus causes the disease known as wattle wilt of non‐native Acacia mearnsii trees in South Africa, Uganda and Kenya. Infection results in rapid wilt and death of susceptible trees and stem cankers on more tolerant trees. It has been suggested that C. albifundus is indigenous to southern Africa, possibly having spread from native Protea spp. to non‐native A. mearnsii and A. decurrens trees. Although C. albifundus has been collected from Protea spp., these reports are based on limited records for which only aged herbarium specimens exist. During surveys of wound‐infecting fungi on native tree species in South Africa, a fungus resembling C. albifundus was collected from Protea gaguedi, Acacia caffra, Burkea africana, Combretum molle, C. zeyheri, Faurea saligna, Ochna pulchra, Ozoroa paniculosa and Terminalia sericea. The identity of the fungus was confirmed as C. albifundus, using comparisons of DNA sequence data for the ITS and 5.8S gene of the rRNA operon. In pathogenicity trials, lesions were produced on C. molle and A. caffra, with some trees beginning to die at the termination of the experiment. This study represents the first report of C. albifundus from native tree species in South Africa and provides unequivocal evidence that the fungus occurs naturally on native Protea spp. The wide host range of C. albifundus, as well as its abundance on these indigenous hosts lends further support to the view that it is a native African pathogen.     

Susceptibility of eliteAcacia mearnsii families to Ceratocystis wilt in south Africa

Ceratocystis albofundus is a recently described pathogen infectingAcacia mearnsii in South Africa, and it causes a disease known as Ceratocystis wilt. Symptoms of the disease include die-back, gummosis and wilting of infected trees. In order to select trees tolerant to this fungus, susceptibility tests were conducted on trees representing fourteen families ofA. mearnsii. A virulent isolate ofC. albofundus was selected and inoculated into the stems of twelve-month-old plants in a plantation. Lesion lengths, in the bark, and disease development were assessed after 6 weeks. All fourteen families ofA. mearnsii were susceptible to infection byC. albofundus. Considerable variation was, however, noticed between individual trees within the same family and the incorporation of disease tolerant trees into breeding programmes is proposed.     

Screening for host responses in Acacia to a canker and wilt pathogen,Ceratocystis manginecans

In Vietnam, the productivity of Acacia hybrid (Acacia mangium x A. auriculiformis) plantations is being threatened by an aggressive canker pathogen, Ceratocystis manginecans, and selection for tolerance is the main control strategy. A pot trial was established in Binh Duong province to screen for the host response of nine Acacia genotypes (six Acacia hybrid clones, two A. auriculiformis clones and mixed provenance seedlings of A. mangium) to artificial inoculation with three isolates of C. manginecans. Lesion lengths as measured on the inner bark suggested that the two A. auriculiformis clones were relatively more tolerant to C. manginecans than the A. mangium genotype. In contrast, the lesion lengths of all six Acacia hybrid clones fell between the A. auriculiformis and A. mangium genotypes. The results of this study indicate that among the Acacia hybrid clones, BV10 showed the most tolerance to C. manginecans. Chemical analysis of crude sapwood extracts sampled from the lesion provided some evidence that induced phenolic compounds, particularly tetrahydroxyflavanone and condensed tannins may have a defensive role in the Acacia—C. manginecans pathosystem. However, results were not consistent across individual Acacia hybrid clones and A. mangium genotypes.     

Screening of fungicides for the management of wattle rust (Uromycladium acaciae) in Acacia mearnsii plantations,South Africa

South Africa has c. 110 000 ha planted to Acacia mearnsii (black wattle) with 85% of the revenue from the species obtained from the timber and 15% from the bark. From 2012/13 a wattle rust disease has spread throughout the black wattle plantation area in KwaZulu-Natal and from 2015 it was recorded in southern Mpumalanga. The pathogen affects trees of all age classes, causing a reduction in growth, as well as mortality with severe infection. No fungicides are currently registered in South Africa for the control of wattle rust. In October/November 2014, three black wattle trials were initiated in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands and south-eastern Mpumulanga where fungicides were tested at varying rates for the control of wattle rust. The same trial design was used for all three trials and consisted of a 3 × 3 factorial with one additional control, replicated three times and laid out as a randomised complete block design. The factorial combination consisted of three fungicides (azoxystrobin + difenoconazole; azoxystrobin + cyproconazole; azoxystrobin) applied at three rates (×, 2× and ½ ×). The additional control was not treated with fungicides. Wattle rust had a significant and negative impact on tree growth, irrespective of site and/or previous infection. All fungicides tested, and at all rates applied, proved effective for the control of wattle rust. The optimum rate selected, timing and frequency of application will be based on a combination of prevention of resistance as well as optimisation of growth. For the most effective control of wattle rust, fungicides should be applied as a preventative, rather than corrective, measure. However, in cases of severe infestation, a corrective application could also be used to aid the management of wattle rust.     

A serious new wilt disease of Eucalyptus caused by Ceratocystis fimbriata in Central Africa

In a recent survey of Eucalyptus clones in the Republic of Congo, Central Africa, a serious wilt and die-back disease of two different hybrid clones was observed. Affected trees ranged in age from approximately 6 months to 4 years. Isolations from symptomatic plant material consistently yielded a Ceratocystis species. On the basis of morphology and sequence data this fungus was identified as Ceratocystis fimbriata, a well-known wilt and canker pathogen of many economically important plants. The Eucalyptus isolates were compared with other Ceratocystis spp. based on sequence data generated from the ITS and 5.8S region of the rRNA operon. The results confirmed the identity of the Ceratocystis isolates from Eucalyptus as C. fimbriata and showed that they group with other C. fimbriata isolates from Brazil, South Africa and Europe. Inoculations on young Eucalyptus plants were conducted in the greenhouse and all three of the Congolese isolates tested, produced typical lesions in the bark and xylem. This study represents the first report of C. fimbriata as a pathogen of Eucalyptus in Africa. This is a serious new disease that will require considerable study in order to ensure that losses, caused by C. fimbriata, do not continue.     

黑荆树栽培技术的研究

本文根据多年来对黑荆树的生物学特性以及所进行的栽培试验的综合研究,初步探索出一套黑荆树丰产优质的栽培技术。     

黑荆的茎尖培养和植株再生

试验以黑荆实生幼苗的茎尖作外植体,利用MS改良配方作基本培养基,补加不同种类和浓度的激素,分析了影响黑荆组培中诱导增殖和生根阶段的主要因素,摸索出各阶段的最适培养基,成功地培养出根系完整的黑荆试管苗并移栽成活。结果表明:(1)诱导增殖阶段的主要影响因素是分裂素浓度,在一定范围内,浓度越高,增殖率也越高,但不定芽伸长生长减缓;(2)影响生根的因素有无机盐浓度、分裂素浓度及生长素浓度,其中分裂素抑制生根,低盐浓度培养基有较高生根率;生长素在一定范围内促进生根,超过一定浓度时抑制生根。     

从文献统计看我国黑荆树研究进展

基于国内重要文献数据库,采用文献计量技术,通过统计近10年来黑荆树文献的发表情况,探讨我国近年来黑荆树发展状况与研究进展。     

Susceptibility of Eucalyptus grandis and Acacia mearnsii seedlings to five Phytophthora species common in South African plantations

Eucalyptus grandis and its hybrids, as well as Acacia mearnsii, are important non‐native trees commonly propagated for forestry purposes in South Africa. In this study, we conducted pathogenicity trials to assess the relative importance of five commonly isolated Phytophthora spp. (Phytophthora alticola, P. cinnamomi, P. frigida, P. multivora and P. nicotianae) from the plantation environment on E. grandis and A. mearnsii seedlings. Overall E. grandis was more susceptible to the tested Phytophthora spp. than A. mearnsii. Phytophthora cinnamomi was the only pathogen that had a significant negative effect on both the host tree species, leading to a reduction in root and shoot weight as well as to death in the case of E. grandis. Phytophthora alticola and P. nicotianae exclusively affected E. grandis and A. mearnsii, respectively. This study updated the current knowledge on the pathogenicity of Phytophthora spp. on two important non‐native commercially propagated tree species from South Africa.     

Pruning quality affects infection of Acacia mangium and A. crassicarpa by Ceratocystis acaciivora and Lasiodiplodia theobromae

Pruning (singling) is a common silvicultural practice in commercial Acacia plantations because these trees tend to have multiple stems. The wounds resulting from pruning are susceptible to infection by pathogens. Ceratocystis acaciivora and Lasiodiplodia theobromae have been shown recently to be important pathogens of A. mangium in Indonesia, where they are commonly associated with wounds on trees. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of different wound types on infection of A. mangium and A. crassicarpa by these two pathogens. Isolates of C. acaciivora and L. theobromae, found to be the most pathogenic in a prior study, were used to inoculate pruning wounds. Results showed that pruning conducted in a manner to reduce stem damage, resulted in lower levels of fungal infection. Where pruning resulted in tearing of the bark, there were higher levels of infection and disease occurred even without artificial inoculation. Inoculation of pruning wounds with C. acaciivora and L. theobromae showed that both fungi have the potential to cause disease. However, C. acaciivora was most virulent. Results of this study showed conclusively that careful pruning will result in lower levels of disease in young A. mangium and A. crassicarpa plantations.     

An artificial inoculation protocol for Uromycladium acaciae,cause of a serious disease of Acacia mearnsii in southern Africa

Uromycladium acaciae is the cause of a severe wattle rust epidemic in plantations of Acacia mearnsii (black wattle) in southern Africa. Research on the biology of this damaging rust is assisting in the development of control strategies. One strategy under investigation is the identification and deployment of resistant lines of A. mearnsii. Selection of resistant families currently relies on large-scale, time-consuming and expensive field trials. In this study, we present a detailed artificial inoculation protocol for U. acaciae, which can be used to screen for resistance. The results of an experiment that used the protocol to screen the relative resistance of 12 families of A. mearnsii to U. acaciae are also presented. The developed artificial inoculation protocol can also be used to investigate several other aspects of this host–pathogen system.     

Determining the effect of tree size,bark-wood bond strength and tree form on the productivity of an excavator-based harvester in Acacia mearnsii in the KwaZulu-Natal forestry region of South Africa

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of tree size, bark-wood bond strength and tree form on the productivity of cut-to-length harvesting of Acacia mearnsii, using an excavator-based harvester with a SP Maskiner harvester head in the KwaZulu-Natal forestry region of South Africa. Tree diameter and height measurements were used to determine individual tree volumes, after which the trees were classified into different bark-wood bond strength and tree-form classes. Time studies were carried out to determine harvester productivity. The results showed that tree size plays a crucial role in the productivity of the harvester, but bark-wood bond strength and tree form also influence productivity. The harvester productivity varied from 5.5 m³ per productive machine hour (PMH) in 0.05 m³ trees to 16.9 m³ PMH^?1 in 0.25 m³ trees The bark-wood bond strength did not influence harvester productivity when handling small trees of less than 0.1 m³. In small trees, the productivity of the harvester was also not affected by different form classes, but as tree size increased, there was greater productivity variation between the different form classes.     

First report of bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum on eucalypts in South Africa

Ralstonia solanacearum, the causal agent of bacterial wilt, has one of the widest host ranges of all phytopathogenic bacteria. This pathogen was first reported on Eucalyptus spp. in the late 1980s in Brazil. Since then, there have been reports of its occurrence on this host in Australia, China and Venezuela. Early in 1997, an 18‐month‐old clonally propagated Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus camaldulensis (GC) hybrid in Zululand, KwaZulu/Natal, showed signs of wilting. The vascular tissue of infected trees was dicoloured and bacterial exudation was produced from cut surfaces. The bacterium was consistently isolated from diseased tissue, purified and identified as R. solanacearum biovar 3 race 1, using the BioLog bacterial identification system. Inoculation trials were conducted on three E. grandis × E. camaldulensis clones (GC515, GC550 and GC505). Clone GC550 displayed wilting after 3 days and all cuttings subsequently died. Clones GC515 and GC505 appeared to be less susceptible with cuttings not showing signs of disease until 7 days after inoculation. After 14 days, 90 and 80%, respectively, of cuttings of these two clones had died. This is the first report of bacterial wilt on Eucalyptus in South Africa.     

Predicting the invasion of a southern African savannah by the black wattle(Acacia mearnsii)

Understanding the drivers of biological invasions in landscapes is a major goal in invasion ecology.The control of biological invasions has increasingly become critical in the past few decades because invasive species are thought to be a major threat to endemism. In this study, by examining the key variables that influence Acacia mearnsii, we sought to understand its potential invasion in eastern Zimbabwe. We used the maximum entropy(Max Ent) method against a set of environmental variables to predict the potential invasion front of A.mearnsii. Our study showed that the predictor variables,i.e., aspect, elevation, distance from streams, soil type and distance from the nearest A. mearnsii plantation adequately explained(training AUC = 0.96 and test AUC = 0.93)variability in the spatial distribution of invading A.mearnsii. The front of invasion by A. mearnsii seemed also to occur next to existing A. mearnsii plantations. Results from our study could be useful in identifying priority areas that could be targeted for controlling the spread of A.mearnsii in Zimbabwe and other areas under threat from A.mearnsii invasion. We recommend that the plantationowners pay for the control of A. mearnsii invasion about their plantations.     

Survival of Ceratocystis fagacearum in branches of trees killed by oak wilt in Minnesota

The survival of Ceratocystis fagacearum in the branches of Quercus ellipsoidalis killed by oak wilt in Minnesota depends on the time of year when the trees die. In trees, which wilt in May or June, the pathogen can be isolated from the xylem for only 1–2 months. In trees which die later in the summer it may persist through to the following spring. Observations on oak bark beetles (Pseudopityophthorus spp.) breeding in the dead trees do not suggest that these beetles are important vectors of the disease in Minnesota.     

黑荆树基肥试验初报

本文通过黑荆树基肥的田间对比试验,探索适合漳州地区的最佳基肥种类,试验结果表明:施用复合肥或过磷酸钙与碳酸氢铵(比例2∶1)混合,比传统单纯施用过磷酸钙作基肥效果好。     

Observations on the colonization of oak wilt mats (Ceratocystis fagacearum) by Pesotum piceae

Subcortical mats of Ceratocystis fagacearum were found to become readily overgrown by Pesotum piceae. Thus by reducing the chance of contamination of insect vectors with spores of the pathogen P. piceae is likely to contribute to the low efficiency of oak wilt transmissions.     

Assessing nitrogen fixation in mixed- and single-species plantations of Eucalyptus globulus and Acacia mearnsii

Mixtures of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. and Acacia mearnsii de Wildeman are twice as productive as E. globulus monocultures growing on the same site in East Gippsland, Victoria, Australia, possibly because of increased nitrogen (N) availability owing to N(2) fixation by A. mearnsii. To investigate whether N(2) fixation by A. mearnsii could account for the mixed-species growth responses, we assessed N(2) fixation by the accretion method and the (15)N natural abundance method. Nitrogen gained by E. globulus and A. mearnsii mixtures and monocultures was calculated by the accretion method with plant and soil samples collected 10 years after plantation establishment. Nitrogen in biomass and soil confirmed that A. mearnsii influenced N dynamics. Assuming that the differences in soil, forest floor litter and biomass N of plots containing A. mearnsii compared with E. globulus monocultures were due to N(2) fixation, the 10-year annual mean rates of N(2) fixation were 38 and 86 kg ha(-1) year(-1) in 1:1 mixtures and A. mearnsii monocultures, respectively. Nitrogen fixation by A. mearnsii could not be quantified on the basis of the natural abundance of (15)N because such factors as mycorrhization type and fractionation of N isotopes during N cycling within the plant confounded the effect of the N source on the N isotopic signature of plants. This study shows that A. mearnsii fixed significant quantities of N(2) when mixed with E. globulus. A decline in delta(15)N values of E. globulus and A. mearnsii with time, from 2 to 10 years, is further evidence that N(2) was fixed and cycled through the stands. The increased aboveground biomass production of E. globulus trees in mixtures when compared with monocultures can be attributed to increases in N availability.     

国外黑荆树资源利用状况及我国发展的前景

黑荆树是一种周期短、用途广、效益高的好树种.它原产于澳大利亚,现已在南美和亚洲广泛种植和利用.世界现有黑荆树人工林40多万公顷.黑荆树栲胶年产量11万多吨,占总产量的20%.本文着重介绍了南非和巴西的经验且结合国情认为我们应借鉴国外经验改变传统经营方式走发展工业人工林的道路.