Pezicula canker of Quercus rubra L., caused by Pezicula cinnamomea (DC.) Sacc.

The ascomycete Pezicula cinnamomea (DC.) Sacc. [Anamorph: Cryptosporiopsis grisea (Pers.) Petr.] causes Pezicula canker of Red Oak (Quercus rubra L.) in Germany and is also associated with bark diseases of other oak species. The author's studies on morphology, biology and en-dophytism of P. cinnamomea are presented and its ecological role is discussed. It can be con-cluded that P. cinnamomea is a species with a broad host range. The fungus is a common en-dophyte of Red Oak bark, and development of Pezicula canker is dependent on reduction of host vigour.     

Dothistroma rhabdoclinis sp. nov. associated with Rhabdocline pseudotsugae on Douglas fir

Dothistroma rhabdoclinis, a new coelomycete on needles of Pseudotsuga menziesii is described. The fungus is associated, possibly as a hyperparasite, with Rhabdocline pseudotsugae, the causal agent of Rhabdocline needle‐cast of Douglas fir. The presence of D. rhabdoclinis interferes with and sometimes completely inhibits the production of ascomata of R. pseudotsugae. The cultural and morphological characters of the new fungus are compared with the only other known member of the genus, Dothistroma septospora.     

Sirococcus conigenus,Sirococcus piceicola sp. nov. and Sirococcus tsugae sp. nov. on conifers: anamorphic fungi in the Gnomoniaceae,Diaporthales

Sirococcus is a genus of asexually reproducing fungi that includes important pathogens causing shoot blight and tip dieback of conifers. In this paper, the type species of Sirococcus, S. conigenus, is redescribed and illustrated, and an epitype designated. In addition, two new species are recognized. Sirococcus piceicola sp. nov. is described from species of Picea in Canada and Switzerland. A second new species, S. tsugae sp. nov., is known only from western North America on species of Cedrus and Tsuga. These three species can be distinguished based on morphological differences and molecular sequence data from four genes. The three species of Sirococcus on conifers vary in conidiomatal wall structure, shape of the conidiogenous cells, and shape and size of conidia.     

Hyperparasitic Stagonospora sp. on Botryosphaeria stevensii

An unknown fungus, Stagonospora sp., has been found on and in stromata of Botryosphaeria stevensii Shoemaker anamorph (Diplodia mutila Fr. & Mont.) and Diatrypella quercina (Persoon) Nitschke. Microscopic investigations indicated that the fungus might be a hyperparasite of some ascomycetous fungi, necrotrophs or weak parasites on sessile oak [Quercus petraea] and turkey oak (Quercus cerris). Dual culture studies carried out with monoconidial isolates of Stagonospora sp. and B. stevensii have demonstrated that Stagonospora sp. is a necrotrophic mycoparasite which might suppress, to some extent, the natural population of B. stevensii. Botryosphaeria stevensii is one of the biotic factors causing oak decline. Morphology of the fungus and symptoms of mycoparasitic interaction are described. Stagonospora sp. found in Hungary is assumed to be identical with hyperparasitic Stagonospora sp. reported from Germany and Austria as parasite of Ascodichaena rugosa and Ascodichaena mexicana in Mexico. This is the first record of hyperparasitic Stagonospora sp. of B. stevensii and D. quercina.     

Infection of Populus alba var. hickeliana by Melampsora medusae Thüm.

The first record of infection of Populus alba var. hickeliana by the American rust, Melampsora medusae Thum. is reported. The morphology of uredospores of rust on P. alba is compared with that of other Melampsora spp. infecting white poplars. The implications of these observations for the widespread establishment in the future of white × black hybrid poplars are discussed.     

Nondestructive sampling of Eucalyptus globulus and E. nitens for wood properties. I. Basic density

A non-destructive sampling strategy for basic density, based on removing 12 mm bark-to-bark cores, was developed in E. globulus and E. nitens. Fifty trees of each species, aged 5 to 9 years, were sampled across a range of sites. Core samples were removed on both a north-south and an east-west axis from 6 fixed heights in the base of the tree (0.5 m, 0.7 m, …, 1.5 m). Whole-tree values were calculated from disc samples removed at eight percentage heights (0, 10, 20, …, 70%) and correlations between the cores and whole-tree values were used to determine the optimal sampling height. Core samples were found to be reliable predictors of whole-tree density, explaining between 84% and 89% of the variation between trees. Core sampling of E. globulus and E. nitens to estimate basic density of whole-trees and stands is feasible; cores from trees at all E. globulus sites gave high correlations with whole-tree values. For E. nitens, site differences were apparent, and it is recommended that a small destructive sampling program should be undertaken prior to commencing a major sampling program. Recommended optimal sampling heights are 1.1 m for E. globulus and 0.7 m for E. nitens. Core orientation was not important and density was not related to tree size. Six whole-tree samples or eight core samples are required for estimating the mean density of a stand at a specific site to an accuracy of ±20 kg m⁻³ with a 95% confidence interval. Received 17 September 1998     

基于MaxEnt模型的毛红椿适生区预测

[目的]了解环境因子对毛红椿适生区分布的影响,为其资源保护、引种及其人工林的发展提供参考。[方法]基于MaxEnt模型能利用现存不完整、小样本、离散型分布数据构建物种适生区预测模型,用受试者工作曲线线下面积(AUC)检验预测模型的精度,面积越大精度越高等优点,本研究应用毛红椿在云南的分布数据及1个地型因子和6个气候因子,来构建其适生区分布模型。[结果]毛红椿适生区分布MaxEnt模型平均训练AUC和平均测试AUC分别为0.891、0.885,说明对毛红椿适生区的预测是可靠的;降水量变异系数和最干季度降水量是决定毛红椿适生区分布的主要因子,年均气温变化范围、最冷季度平均气温、最湿季度降水量、最冷季度降水量是次要因子。在当代和未来(2050S、2070S)气候变暖条件下(RCP2.6情景),云南省和全国适生区面积计算结果直观、定量的反应了全球变暖对毛红椿适生区变迁的影响。[结论]预测云南省及全国的毛红椿适生区随全球变暖而小幅萎缩。     

Sphaceloma murrayae Jenk. & Grods., a pathogen new to Europe on Salix spp.

A Sphaceloma species causing greyish‐white leaf spots of several Salix species is described and illustrated. This is the first record for Europe of the mitosporic fungus identified as Sphaceloma murrayae, which was formerly known to occur only in New Zealand, Argentina and the US. In addition to information on symptoms and hosts, similar fungi occurring on willow, which can be confused with the new fungus are also discussed.     

Canker of cypresses caused by Coryneum cardinale Wag. in Britain

Coryneum canker occurs widely on Cupressus macrocarpa in England. Mycelial inoculations caused perennial cankers on Cupressocyparis leylandii and Chamaecyparis nootkatensis, severe but annual cankers on Thuja plicata and death of twigs on Juniperus communis. Chamaecy-paris lawsoniana rapidly overcame initial infection. Conidial inoculations on C. leylandii caused cankers. The potential of the disease in Britain and its control are discussed and aids to the identification of the fungus in culture given.     

Terpene response of Picea abies and Abies alba to infection with Heterobasidion s.l.

The monoterpene composition of Picea abies and Abies alba resin was analysed in relation to growth by Heterobasidion spp. Fifteen‐year‐old P. abies and A. alba trees were inoculated on branches with three species of Heterobasidion annosum s.l. After 4 months of incubation, each host was colonized to a significantly greater degree by the pathogen specific to that host (H. parviporum on P. abies, H. abietinum on A. alba) than by the other fungi. Analysis of the enantiomeric monoterpene profiles in the spruce and fir showed that the response in terms of the relative proportions of the monoterpene compounds in the resin differed between tree species. Following challenge with Heterobasidion spp., A. alba trees did not show changes in monoterpene composition in addition to those in the wounding response (increase in (−)‐α‐pinene and (−)‐camphene, and decrease in β‐phellandrene). In P.abies, (−)‐α‐pinene, (+)‐α‐pinene and δ‐3‐carene increased following Heterobasidion attack but not after wounding alone.     

The bacterial disease of ash (Fraxinus excelsior), caused by Pseudomonas syringae subsp. savastanoi pv. Fraxini II. Etiology and taxonomic considerations

The results of studies of various bacteria isolated from characteristic excrescences of the so-called bacterial canker of common ash are reported. A fungus (formerly known as Plenodomus rabenhorstii Preuss) associated with this disease, is described and renamed as Phoma riggenbachii Boerema et Janse. Based on biochemical, serological and pathological work the name Pseudomonas syringae subsp. savastanoi (ex Smith) subsp. nov., nom. rev. pv. fraxini is proposed for the ash bacterium. The closely related causal organisms of olive and oleander have been compared and named pv. oleae and pv. nerii.     

Spread of European mistletoe (Viscum album) in California,U.S.A.

Viscum album was introduced in about 1900 into an area north of San Francisco, California. By 1984, the gross area covered by the parasite had spread to about 114 sq. km. The average distance of spread from the point of introduction was 5.8 km. Viscum occurs on at least 22 hosts in California, the most common are Acer saccharinum, Malus sylvestris, Robinia pseudoacacia, Alnus rubra, Populus fremontii, and Salix lasiandra.     

Biomass,nutrient and pigment content of beech (Fagus sylvatica) saplings infected with Phytophthora citricola,P. cambivora,P. pseudosyringae and P. undulata

Fagus sylvatica saplings were infected with Phytophthora citricola, Phytophthora cambivora, Phytophthora pseudosyringae and Phytophthora undulata to study the influence of these root pathogens on total belowground and aboveground biomass, on the nutrient distribution within plants, on the concentration of plastid pigments, including tocopherol and on components of the xanthophyll cycle. Phytophthora citricola and P. cambivora infection significantly reduced total biomass of beech when compared with control plants and finally most of these plants died at the end of the experiment. However, beech invaded by the other two Phytophthora spp. did not differ from control plants and none of them was killed. Fine root length as well as the number of root tips of all infected beeches were reduced between 30 and 50%. The excellent growth of beech infected with P. pseudosyringae and P. undulata when compared with control plants was correlated with a strong increase of important root efficiency parameters. Phytophthora citricola and P. cambivora caused a significant reduction in nitrogen concentration of leaves in comparison with control and other infected plants, whereas this nutrient was slightly increased in fine and coarse roots. Furthermore, the phosphorus and potassium concentrations in leaves were impaired after infection with P. citricola. However, foliar concentrations of Ca and Mg were not affected by the different Phytophthora spp., whereas fine and coarse roots were significantly enriched with Ca in beech infected with P. citricola or P. cambivora. The concentrations of α‐tocopherol and xanthophyll cycle pigments were increased in plants infected by P. citricola and P. cambivora, indicating that several reactive oxygen species might be formed in leaves during infection.     

Cylindrocladium spp. associated with various diseases of Eucalyptus in Kerala1

During an extensive survey of nurseries and plantations spread throughout the state, six species of Cylindrocladium were found to be associated with various diseases of Eucalyptus spp. C. quinque-septatum was the dominant species followed by C. ilicicola, C. floridanum, C. parvum, C. curvatum and C. scoparium. C. quinqueseptatum was isolated from the specimens collected throughout Kerala irrespective of host species or geographical location. However, other species had discernible spatial distribution with a narrow host range. C. floridanum and its perfect stage, Calonectria floridana, and C. curvatum are reported for the first time on Eucalyptus in India.     

Comportement in vitro du Sparassis crispa Wulf. ex Fr. et du Sparassis laminosa Fr

Behaviour in vitro of Sparassis crispa Wulf. ex. Fr. and Sparassis laminosa Fr . Sparassis crispa and S. laminosa are described in culture following the method used by Nobles. S. crispa is a very active wood destroying fungus in blocks of Douglas fir (sapwood and heartwood) in laboratory tests. The cauliflower-like fructifications are easily produced on malt-agar and could be produced on a large scale.     

Occurrence and pathogenicity of Neofusicoccum parvum and N. mangiferae on ornamental Tibouchina species

Species in the Botryosphaeriaceae are important canker pathogens of woody plants, including Eucalyptus spp. The recent discovery of the Eucalyptus pathogen, Chrysoporthe austroafricana, on ornamental Tibouchina trees raised the question as to whether Tibouchina spp. might be alternative hosts for other Eucalyptus pathogens. Therefore, the aim of this study was to consider whether species of the Botryosphaeriaceae occurring on Eucalyptus spp. might also occur on ornamental Tibouchina spp. Isolations were made from Tibouchina trees in South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. Isolates were identified using morphological characteristics and DNA‐based techniques. Neofusicoccum parvum and N. mangiferae were identified from the samples. Pathogenicity trials on T. urvilleana showed that both species are pathogenic to this host.     

Two studies to assess the risk to Pinus sylvestris from Heterobasidion spp. in southern Sweden

Abstract

Pine stumps are not being treated against Heterobasidion spp. in Sweden. To determine whether they should be, the frequency of stump infections and the species of Heterobasidion involved were investigated in nine newly thinned pure Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands in southern Sweden. The incidence of Heterobasidion was measured in roots of standing Scots pine in another 15 stands. Infections by both H. annosum (Fr.) Bref. s.s. and H. parviporum Niemelä & Korhonen were numerous in stumps six months after a summer thinning. The pathogen, mostly H. annosum, was found in 44 of 60 sampled root systems, from 14 of the 15 stands. Twenty of the infected pines were assessed as healthy on the basis of crown symptoms while 24 trees had defoliated crowns. Infected root systems were most frequent among trees with thin crowns in stands on former agricultural land, where previous thinnings had been carried out during the growing season when airborne spores are plentiful. The study suggests that stump treatment may be a profitable way to reduce disease development in Scots pine monocultures on sandy soils as well as in mixtures with Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] on any soil.     

Nasa,Nemesia and Euphrasia: new alternate hosts of Cronartium spp.

Susceptibility of 18 alternate host species to Cronartium flaccidum or C. ribicola was tested. Alive test plants were inoculated in the greenhouse and the formation of Cronartium uredinia and telia was followed on the plants for 8 weeks. Cronartium flaccidum formed uredinia and telia on Bartsia alpina and Euphrasia stricta (Orobanchaceae), Nasa triphylla and N. urens (Loasaceae), Nemesia floribunda (Scrophulariaceae), Tropaeolum majus (Tropaeolaceae), Veronica daurica (Plantaginaceae) and Vincetoxicum hirundinaria (Apocynaceae). Single uredinia or telia developed also on N. urens and E. stricta inoculated with C. ribicola. For the first time, Cronartium are reported to sporulate on members of Loasaceae and Scrophulariaceae, N. urens and N. floribunda.     

Differentiating the two closely related species,Phellinus weirii and P. sulphurascens

Phellinus weirii s.l., an aggressive root rot pathogen, causes extensive wood losses and lowers the productivity of western red cedar (WRC, Thuja plicata), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and other conifers. This fungus has been recognized as a cedar form (P. weirii s.s.) and a non‐cedar form (P. sulphurascens). Differentiating the two species is difficult because their fruiting bodies and cultural morphologies are very similar. However, differences in growth rate and colony morphology were observed when they were grown on malt extract agar with WRC feeder strips. In addition, different restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns were obtained using (i) the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region cut with the restriction enzyme RsaI, and (ii) the partial large subunit ribosomal DNA region cut with AgeI and NciI. Furthermore, a new specific primer set was designed from the ITS region of P. weirii s.s. and was used to differentiate it from P. sulphurascens and other decay fungi that are frequently found in coniferous trees. These species‐specific primers will facilitate the detection of P. weirii in standing trees well before visible signs of infection are apparent.