First report of Teratosphaeria gauchensis causing stem canker of Eucalyptus in Kenya

Teratosphaeria stem canker is an important disease of Eucalyptus species in many parts of the world where these trees are intensively propagated in plantations. Symptoms similar to those of Teratosphaeria stem canker were observed on Eucalyptus grandis and a E. grandis × E. camaldulensis hybrid clone in the Central Highlands of Kenya. Symptomatic bark samples were collected from two sites and the associated fungus isolated and identified using DNA sequence analyses of multiple gene regions. The pathogen was identified as Teratosphaeria gauchensis. This represents the first report of the disease and the pathogen in Kenya.     

The Eucalyptus shoot and leaf pathogen Teratosphaeria destructans recorded in South Africa

Species of Teratosphaeria include some of the most important fungal pathogens of plantation-grown eucalypt trees. During routine disease surveys, symptoms and signs of leaf spot and blight were observed on the foliage of one-year-old E. grandis × E. urophylla hybrids in the Zululand region of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. These were distinct from those caused by the well-known and leaf-infecting fungus Teratosphaeria suttonii, which is not considered an important pathogen in the country. Culture and morphological characteristics as well as DNA sequences for three gene regions were used to compare the fungus isolated from the newly emerging symptoms with those for known Teratosphaeria species. DNA sequences were the same as those for T. destructans and this was consistent with the distinctive morphology of the asexual spores and the symptoms on leaves. Teratosphaeria destructans is an aggressive pathogen and actions will be needed to ensure that it does not impart serious losses to the local forestry industry.     

Teratosphaeria gauchensis associated with trunk,stem and foliar lesions of Eucalyptus globulus in Portugal

Teratosphaeria gauchensis and T. zuluensis both cause a stem canker of eucalypts that leads to serious damage in various parts of the world. Until recently, this disease was unknown in Portugal. Nevertheless, severe damage to Eucalyptus globulus has been observed in Portugal since 2006 when symptoms appeared as necrotic spots on young green stems and leaves, twig lesions, and dark oval‐shaped lesions on stems and trunks. The isolates from affected E. globulus tree plantations were identified using sequence data of the ITS1‐5.8S‐ITS2 and EF‐1α clusters, together with morphological characteristics. Based on these results, the causal organism was identified as T. gauchensis, which represents the first report of this pathogen from Portugal.     

First report of Teratosphaeria zuluensis causing stem canker of Eucalyptus grandis in Uganda

Teratosphaeria stem canker is one of the most important diseases to have emerged on non‐native plantation‐grown Eucalyptus trees globally. In 2012, Eucalyptus grandis trees with typical Teratosphaeria stem canker symptoms were observed in Uganda. Multigene sequence analyses of isolates from these cankers led to the identification of T. gauchensis, previously recorded in Uganda, and T. zuluensis. This study represents the first report of T. zuluensis in Uganda. Furthermore, this is the first report of the co‐occurrence of T. zuluensis and T. gauchensis in a single area.     

First report of Sphaeropsis canker on cypress in South Africa

In this study a Sphaeropsis sp. is recorded as causing cankers on cypress in South Africa. These cankers are either found alone or on trees which are infected with the well-known cypress canker pathogen, Seiridium unicorne. When the two fungi occurred together, lesions could not be distinguished from each other, although the greater number of lesions were caused by the Sphaeropsis sp. The fungus appears to be identical to that described as Sphaeropsis sapinea f.sp. cupressi, in Israel, which is a fungus very different from the pine pathogen, Sphaeropsis sapinea. Pathogenicity tests showed that the Sphaeropsis sp. is significantly more pathogenic to Cupressus lusitanica than to Pinus roxburgii and Pinus elliottii. S. sapinea was pathogenic only to the Pinus spp. tested, and not to C. lusitanica. In contrast, the cypress pathogen Seiridium unicorne, was pathogenic to C. lusitanica and also to the two Pinus spp. tested.     

Estimates of genetic parameters and genetic gains for growth traits of two Eucalyptus urophylla populations in Zululand,South Africa

In South Africa, Eucalyptus urophylla is an important species due to its disease tolerance to fungal diseases such as Crysoporthe austroafricana and the Coniothyrium sp. cankers. It is mainly planted as a parental species in a hybrid combination with E. grandis. Generally, the E. grandis × E. urophylla hybrid has better disease tolerance and higher wood density than pure E. grandis. The current strategy is to maintain large breeding populations of both parental species in order to provide improved elite selections for hybrid crosses on a regular basis. With this in mind, two E. urophylla populations, consisting of five provenance/progeny trials, were established in the subtropical region of Zululand. The aims of this study were, firstly, to determine the magnitude of genotype × environment interaction of E. urophylla in Zululand; secondly, to estimate genetic parameters and correlations for diameter at breast height (DBH), height and volume; and thirdly, to identify selections to advance the current breeding population as well as to hybridise with E. grandis. Results indicated that genotype × environment interaction effects would be practically negligible for growth in Zululand and therefore a single breeding population will be appropriate. In general, all growth traits were under low to moderate genetic control, with narrow-sense heritabilities ranging between 0.14 and 0.48 for volume. The genetic correlations between growth traits were high (0.98 and 0.99 for DBH– volume). This is an indication that DBH is a sufficient growth measure to use in E. urophylla breeding programmes. Best linear unbiased prediction estimates indicated that aa selection scenario of 200 individuals will generate genetic gains of 44.7% over the population mean. The estimated gains for the top 50 individuals that could potentially be used as hybrid parents to cross with E. grandis was 59.8% over the population mean.     

Early Provenance Performance of Eucalyptus citriodora in South Africa

A limited selection of Eucalyptus citriodora seedlots planted in provenance trials at six locations in South and South West Africa are discussed. At three years of age no significant differences are present for height, DBH, or volume production. Stem form is reported to be good.     

High genetic diversity of Fusarium circinatum associated with the first outbreak of pitch canker on Pinus patula in South Africa

The disease known as pitch canker results from infection of Pinus species by the fungus Fusarium circinatum. This fungus also causes a serious root disease of Pinus seedlings and cuttings in forestry nurseries. Pinus radiata and P. patula are especially susceptible to the pathogen, but there are no records of pitch canker on P. patula in established plantations. To date, only planting material of this tree species in nurseries or in plantations at the time of establishment have been infected by F. circinatum. Symptoms of pitch canker have recently emerged in an established P. patula plantation in South Africa and this study sought to determine whether the symptoms were caused by F. circinatum. Isolates from cankers were identified as F. circinatum using morphology and DNA-based diagnostic markers. Microsatellite markers were then used to determine the genetic diversity of a collection of 52 isolates. The entire population included 17 genotypes representing 30 alleles, with a greater number of genotypes collected from younger (three- to six-year-old) than older (12- to 19-year-old) trees. Both mating types of F. circinatum were present, but no evidence of sexual recombination was inferred from population genetic analyses. This is the first record globally of pitch canker on P. patula trees in managed plantations. It is of significant concern to South Africa, where P. patula is the most important Pinus species utilised for plantation forestry.     

Regulating industrial forest concessions in Central Africa and South America

Tropical countries face special specific problems in implementing sustainable forest management (SFM). In many countries, questions are raised on whether tropical forests should be publicly, commonly or privately owned and managed in order to enhance sustainability. Other debates also focus on whether small-scale enterprises are better positioned than large-scale industrial concessions to reduce poverty and attain sustainable management. In countries where large tracts of forest are state-owned, concessions are viewed as a means of delivering services of public and collective interest through an association of private investment and public regulation. However, the success of an industrial concession model in countries with large forest resource endowment to achieve multiple goals such as sustainable forest management and local/regional development depends on two critical assumptions. First, forest functions and services should be managed and maintained as public goods. In many cases, additional uses – and corresponding rights – can take place alongside logging activities. Industrial concessions can be more efficient than other tenure models (such as community-based forest management and small-scale enterprises) in achieving SFM, add value to raw material and comply with growing environmental norms. This is especially the case in market-remote areas with low population density and poor infrastructure. Secondly, to achieve these different outcomes, any concession system needs to be monitored and regulated, especially in contexts dominated by asymmetrical information between regulating authorities and concessionaires. New institutional responses have recently been put forward in several countries, providing valuable materials to design a renewed policy mix which associates public and private incentives. This paper provides a survey of the experience of forest concessions in several Central African and South American countries. The concession system is examined in order to clarify the issues involved, the problems encountered, and what can be learned from the shared experience of these countries in the last decade. This paper argues that despite a sometimes patchy record, concessions can help promote SFM so long as they are packaged with a certain number of specific measures.     

Population dynamics of Thaumastocoris peregrinus in Eucalyptus plantations of South Africa

Journal of Pest Science - Thaumastocoris peregrinus is a sap-sucking insect that infests non-native Eucalyptus plantations in Africa, New Zealand, South America and parts of Southern Europe, in...     

Regional vegetation management standards for commercial Eucalyptus plantations in South Africa

During the 1990s a number of trials were implemented in the summer-rainfall region of South Africa to determine both the short- and long-term impacts of competing vegetation on eucalypt growth. Trial sites were selected across different physiographic regions such that a range of altitudinal, climatic and environmental gradients were represented. Although the understanding gained from these trials allowed for the development of vegetation management standards, their operational and economic viability needed to be tested on a commercial basis. Five eucalypt trials were thus initiated to test the applicability of these standards when utilised on a commercial scale. One of the trials was situated at a lower-altitude site (65 m above sea level [asl]), two at mid-altitude sites (878 and 1 262 m asl), and two at higher-altitude sites (1 469 and 1 590 m asl). Several vegetation management treatments developed to suit the predicted vegetation load at each site were implemented and varied according to either weeding intensity (high, moderate and low), or the area around the tree that was kept free of vegetation (no vegetation control, a row weeding and complete vegetation control). Following tree crown closure at each trial, tree growth was linked to the level of vegetation management in each treatment and its associated total cost up to canopy closure, allowing for the development of different cost-benefit comparisons. The intensity of vegetation management required to produce significant growth benefits decreased with increasing altitude, as did the area that needed to be kept free from competing vegetation. In contrast to the two higher-altitude sites, where tree growth did not benefit from vegetation management, a significant increase in tree growth occurred for the high- and moderate-intensity vegetation management operations at the three mid- and lower-altitude sites. Besides demonstrating the commercial applicability of research results, this series of trials has shown that site-dependent vegetation management is viable on a commercial scale and will allow the South African forest industry to adjust their weed control budgets on a regional basis (linked to altitude).     

Genetic variation in survival,growth, and stem form of Pinus leiophylla in Brazil and South Africa and provenance resistance to pitch canker

Pinus leiophylla is a relatively common pine that occurs in the mountains of western and central Mexico. Between 1987 and 1990, Camcore, North Carolina State University, sampled 11 populations and 309 mother trees of the species to determine patterns of genetic variation in survival, growth and stem form. Fifteen provenance/progeny trials were established in southern Brazil and South Africa across a wide range of sites and assessed at 3, 5 and 8 years of age for height, diameter and stem form. Results indicated that average productivity ranged from 5 to 19m³ ha^?1 y^?1 depending on the site and that performance was not as competitive as P. patula (South Africa) and P. taeda (Brazil) controls. Provenances from central Mexico (Michoacán) were statistically better in productivity than those from the southern part of the country (Oaxaca), which in turn were superior to those from the northern part of the country (Durango). However, provenances from northern Mexico exhibited superior survival to seed sources from other locations in Mexico when grown on cold sites (winter minimums –10 to 5°C) in South Africa and superior stem form across all locations. Seedlings from the original 11 provenances were screened for resistance to the pitch canker fungus (PCF; Fusarium circinatum). Results indicated that generally P. leiophylla is as susceptible to PCF as P. patula (stemkill = 85%) with the exception of two fast-growing, moderately resistant populations from Michoacán, La Pinalosa (stemkill = 44%) and Ario de Rosales (stemkill = 73%). The future potential of P. leiophylla might be in hybrid combination with P. patula in the seasonally dry areas of southern Africa where fires are common and pitch canker is a problem.     

Assessing genetic variation to improve stem straightness in Eucalyptus globulus

Context

Stem straightness is an important trait for growers and processors of Eucalyptus globulus logs for solid-wood products.

Aims

The aims of the study were to determine the extent of genetic variation in stem deviation from straightness in E. globulus and assess the utility of a six-point subjective scoring method as a selection criterion for stem straightness.

Methods

Two E. globulus progeny trials, grown under solid-wood product regimes, were studied. At age 9 years (post-thinning), stem straightness was measured using both image analysis and a six-point subjective scale. Diameter at breast height (DBH; 1.3 m) was measured at both age 5 (pre-thinning) and age 9 years.

Results

Significant additive genetic variation was observed. Strong, positive and significant additive genetic correlations were observed between the stem straightness assessment methods and between DBH at ages 5 and 9 years. Significant positive genetic correlations were shown between subjectively scored stem straightness and DBH at both ages 5 and 9 years.

Conclusion

The six-point subjective scoring method is a cost-effective selection criterion for stem straightness in E. globulus. The image measurement technique may be applied where objective estimates of stem straightness are required, for training purposes and to verify subjective scores.     

Arambarria the pathogen involved in canker rot of Eucalyptus,native trees wood rots and grapevine diseases in the Southern Hemisphere

Arambarria (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) is a monotypic genus recently described to accommodate specimens from the Patagonian forests of Argentina wrongly assigned in the past to Inocutis jamaicensis. On the basis of a wide sampling of strains and phylogenetic analysis inferred from combined sequences including the nuc rDNA ITS1‐5.8‐ITS2 region, 28S rDNA D1‐D2 domains and partial sequences of translation elongation factor 1‐a (tef1‐α), we demonstrate that this genus is associated with an important canker rot of eucalypt plantations in Uruguay, to wood rots of many native and exotic hosts, and to “hoja de malvón” and chlorotic leafroll of grapevines diseases in Central Chile, Central Argentina and Uruguay, formerly assigned to I. jamaicensis and/or Fomitiporella sp. The combined phylogenetic analysis showed the existence of three closely related clades that corresponded to (1) the Pampas of Uruguay and Argentina (“uruguay” clade), (2) the Monte, Chaco Serrano and Yungas forests of Argentina (“cognata” clade) and (3) the Patagonian Andes forests and Chilean Province (“destruens” clade). Lack of morphological differences between taxa from the three clades, their occurrence in both native and exotic hosts, previous results showing interfertility between isolates from Uruguay and Argentina, and the lack of full support in the concatenated ITS + 28S + tef1‐α analysis, prevents us to distinguish and describe three different taxa; the proper name of the taxon being Arambarria cognata comb. nov. A fourth, distinctly separated clade corresponded to South African strains isolated from vineyards representing an undescribed taxon associated with Esca grapevine disease in that country. Arambarria is shown to be unrelated to Inocutis, with which it was confused in the past and, so far, remains restricted to the Northern Hemisphere in America (Mexico, Jamaica and the USA).     

Rotation-end financial performance of vegetation control on Eucalyptus smithii in South Africa

Control of competing vegetation during eucalypt regeneration is important but the cost-benefit of varying levels of control is not well understood. A trial was initiated to quantify the impact of five vegetation control treatments on Eucalyptus smithii R.T.Baker. to determine the potential loss in growth and differential costs against which this growth loss could be linked. Five treatments were developed to suit the predicted vegetation load at the site and varied according to weeding intensity (high, moderate and low weeding) or area around the tree that was weeded (no vegetation control, a 2 m row weeding and complete vegetation control). The vegetation control treatments were imposed at planting and maintained until canopy closure (16.4 months). Tree growth was monitored throughout the rotation and this, together with the cost of the various establishment and weeding operations, were used to make treatment comparisons. Weed growth was rapid following planting, with competition-induced divergence in tree growth occurring from 52 d. Rotation-end volume for the Weedfree check (414 m³ ha^?1) and Row weeding treatment (394 m³ ha^?1) were significantly different from the Weedy check (319 m³ ha^?1), with the Moderate (374 m³ ha^?1) and Low (371 m³ ha^?1) weeding intensity treatments intermediate but not significantly different from each other, nor from the other treatments. The financial performance (expressed as bare land value [BLV] with 6% discounting) of the Weedfree check outperformed the other treatments and was 37% higher than the Weedy check. The BLVs of the Moderate and Low weeding intensity treatments were similar to each other, indicating that these treatments were both feasible in terms of financial performance. However, the 2 m Row weeding had c. 10% higher BLV than the Moderate and Low weeding intensity treatments, and could be considered as a viable alternative to the Weedfree check. Sensitivity analysis conducted on the data in terms of local or exogenous risks indicated that between the treatments, differences in response to either local or global market risks were minor. Thus, small changes in cost and price levels, or larger changes in applicable discount rate, would not alter the ranking of the vegetation control treatments, with the Weedfree check (High weeding intensity) being the best in terms of financial performance, and the Weedy check the worst.     

Genetic characterisation of a Eucalyptus nitens base breeding population in South Africa

The measurement and statistical analysis of data from eight Eucalyptus nitens trials, established in the summer rainfall forestry region of South Africa during the 1980s and 1990s, have enabled the characterisation of the Institute for Commercial Forestry Research's breeding population. Provenance testing showed that the more northerly New South Wales (Australia) Eucalyptus nitens provenances of Barren Mountain and Barrington Tops are distinctly better suited to the summer rainfall areas of South Africa than the southern New South Wales provenances and the Victorian provenance, Penny Saddle. Generally, the species was not badly affected by Coniothyrium canker. High type B genetic correlations for all site pairs, except one comparison, ranged from 0.75 to 0.99 for diameter at breast height (dbh), indicating very little or no genotype × environment interaction for dbh for the genotypes tested in this study. Narrow-sense heritability coefficients ranged from 0.01 to 0.34, indicating that the species generally exhibited sufficient breeding opportunity for improvement of diameter growth. High genetic correlations of greater than 0.90 between diameter measurements at 52 to 62 months after establishment and diameter measurements at 94 or 113 months were found, indicating that selections can be reliably made at five or six years. Predicted genetic gains were highest in the trials at Goedehoop and Arthur's Seat, with increases in dbh of 3.07 cm (17.1%) and 3.17 cm (20.7%), respectively, at full rotation.     

Variation in growth potential between hybrid clones of Eucalyptus trees in eastern South Africa

Growth of commercial forestry is highly dependent on the availability of fast-growing planting materials. Consequently, the efficient utilization of fastgrowing plantations can greatly impact productivity. The objectives of this study were to evaluate variations in the growth potential of two clones and to estimate the average stem radial growth advantage of a fast-growing clone using data obtained from Sappi landholdings in eastern South Africa and a mixed modelling approach that permits the incorporation of covariance structure into the statistical model. During the first 2 years of growth, the stem radius of nine trees each of two clones was measured using dendrometer attached to the tree. A second-degree fractional polynomial model was chosen to show the functional relationship between stem radius and tree age. Growth of the two hybrid clones differed significantly. The Eucalyptus grandis×Eucalyptus urophylla clone grew faster than the E. grandis×camaldulensis clone, indicating better genetic potential for rapid growth and yield. This study can be considered as starting point to further compare the potential for rapid growth of several hybrid clones using the longitudinal data modelling approach.