First report of bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum on fig trees in China

This article presents the first report of bacterial wilt on fig (Ficus carica) trees in China. In 2014, fig trees with typical bacterial wilt symptoms were observed for the first time in China. The causal pathogen was determined to be Ralstonia solanacearum. Identification was based on symptomatology, morphology, BioLog carbohydrate utilization, 16S rDNA sequence analyses and phylotype‐specific multiplex‐PCR assays.     

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.     

Biomass equations for selected drought-tolerant eucalypts in South Africa

In the water-scarce environment of South Africa, drought-tolerant eucalypt species have the potential to contribute to the timber and biomass resource. Biomass functions are a necessary prerequisite to predict yield and carbon sequestration. In this study preliminary biomass models for Eucalyptus cladocalyx, E. gomphocephala and E. grandis · E. camaldulensis from the dry West Coast of South Africa were developed. The study was based on 33 trees, which were destructively sampled for biomass components (branchwood, stems, bark and foliage). Simultaneous regression equations based on seemingly unrelated regression were fitted to estimate biomass while ensuring additivity. Models were of the classical allometric form, ln(Y) = a+x₁ln(dbh)+x₂ln(h), of which the best models explained between 70% and 98% of the variation of the predicted biomass quantities. A general model for the pooled data of all species showed a good fit as well as robust model behaviour. The average biomass proportions of the stemwood, bark, branches and foliage were 60%, 6%, 29% and 5%, respectively.     

青枯菌侵染桉树幼根的组织病理学研究

接种青枯菌后不同时间切取桉树幼根根表、根横切面和纵切面进行制样,扫描电镜观察其组织病理学变化。结果显示：接种0．5h后即有少量病菌存在于根表细胞间隙和导管间隙,但寄主表皮细胞和维管束结构基本完好;接种2h,表皮细胞壁被破坏,细胞瓦解;接种24h,表皮细胞间出现较大裂隙．在横切面和纵切面上可观察到大量细菌聚集并结为白色絮状物．导管破裂并被堵塞;此时植株外观上也开始出现萎蔫症状。     

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.     

Factors influencing infection of Acacia mearnsii by the wilt pathogen Ceratocystis albifundus in South Africa

It is well known that species of Ceratocystis, which cause canker and wilt diseases on trees, require wounds for infection. In this regard, a number of physical and environmental factors influence the success of wound colonization by these fungi. The aim of this study was to consider the influence of wound age, stem diameter and colonization of wounds by Ophiostoma quercus on the success of infection by Ceratocystis albifundus, an important wilt pathogen of Acacia mearnsii in southern and eastern Africa, under field conditions. This was performed by doing controlled inoculations on Acacia mearnsii trees, of different diameters, with C. albifundus at different time intervals after wounding and after pre‐inoculation of wounds with O. quercus at the time of wounding. The success of infection by C. albifundus decreased significantly from 8 h after wounding and was higher on stems of greater diameter. Pre‐infection of wounds by O. quercus reduced the infection success of C. albifundus. The overall results showed that managing wounds created during forestry operations by treating wounds with naturally occurring, non‐virulent fungi, such as O. quercus, could reduce the prevalence of infections by C. albifundus.     

我国植物青枯病抗病性研究新进展

文章综述了近年来我国植物抗青枯病的抗病鉴定方法、抗病机制、抗病遗传、抗病育种及诱导抗病性等的研究进展及成果；并提出了今后的研究方向。     

First report of Fusarium solani causing wilt of Melia dubia

Melia dubia, a multipurpose tree species, is gaining importance to meet the demand supply gap of timber, plywood and pulpwood . In June 2016, a serious outbreak of wilt disease was observed in M. dubia seedlings planted in the Central Nursery of Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun, India. The disease led to the destruction of one hundred thousand (100,000) seedlings. Earlier in June 2012, serious wilting of M. dubia seedlings was observed in Haryana, India. The pathogen was identified as Fusarium solani following standard laboratory procedures and sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA). The pathogenicity of three isolates has been proved under greenhouse conditions. This is the first report of F. solani causing wilt of M. dubia.     

桉树抗青枯病的鉴定技术

采用菌液浸泡法、顶尖接种法对不同的桉树无性系盆栽苗和生根组培苗进行抗青枯病性能测定,并结合林间调查筛选桉树抗青枯病树种和无性系,并从根系分泌物和组织研磨液的角度研究其对桉树青枯病菌生长的抑制作用,探索不同抗性桉树无性系抗病性强弱与其根系分泌物和组织研磨液之间的关系。结果表明:供试的18个桉树无性系中,bd1、bd2、赤桉和南宁巨尾桉为抗病无性系;U6、南宁尾叶桉、雷9、钦32-29为中抗无性系;DH32-27、钦9、南宁广9、钦8、邓恩桉、钦32-22、雷2、巨桉、尾叶桉和钦广9为感病无性系。不同抗性桉树无性系根系分泌物和组织研磨液对青枯菌没有直接拮抗作用,但随着接种时间的延长,青枯病菌在抗病性强的无性系的根系分泌物及组织液中的增殖显著低于感病无性系,验证通过茎段浸泡接种筛选出的桉树无性系的准确性,同时表明根系分泌物和组织研磨液可以反映桉树不同无性系的抗病性强弱。     

Molecular characterization of Ralstonia solanacearum infecting Eucalyptus spp. in Brazil

Among the bacterial pathogens of Eucalyptus in Brazil, Ralstonia solanacearum is considered one of the most important because of the characteristics of the pathogen, like the high diversity among the strains related to host range, high virulence, broad geographical distribution and its damage to the crop in recent years. Given its importance and the lack of research on this pathosystem, the present study aimed to perform a molecular characterization of different strains of infected Eucalyptus plants in Brazil. A total of 19 bacterial cultures isolated from Eucalyptus in different regions of Brazil were analysed. A 372‐bp product generated by multiplex‐PCR amplification using Nmult primers identified all the strains analysed as belonging to phylotype II. Eighteen strains were grouped into subclade IIA and one into subclade IIB. The phylogenetic tree generated from the gene sequences of endoglucanase (egl) confirmed the classification of the strains into phylotype II and separated the strains into sequevars. Strains AMC22, IBSBF2568 and IBSBF2576 were grouped into a single clade, as were strains UFV18 and UFV20, with 89% and 78% a posteriori probability, respectively, forming two new potential sequevars not yet defined. We also identified strains belonging to sequevars 41 (100% probability) and 37 (88% probability). However, most of the strains did not fit into any previously described sequevar and did not form distinct clades. The results of the analysis of fragments amplified using the ERIC‐PCR technique indicated the existence of genetic diversity among the strains studied, with a generally high correlation between similarity and the geographical origin of the strains.     

First report of branch blight disease caused by Aplosporella longipes on Physocarpus amurensis in China

From June through October 2020, symptoms of a branch blight disease were observed on Physocarpus amurensis plants in Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, China. Leaves on infected branches were chlorotic, with many raised, grey spots forming on the epidermis of diseased branches. Diseased twigs formed semi-buried, small, spherical pycnidia, which were initially light brown and later turned dark. The pathogen was isolated and its pathogenicity was verified with Koch's postulates. Based on morphological characteristics and DNA sequence data the pathogen was identified as Aplosporella longipes. This is the first report of A. longipes in China and the first report of it causing branch blight disease of P. amurensis.     

First report of Botrytis leaf blight caused by Botrytis cinerea on Aucuba japonica in China

In May 2019, Aucuba japonica var. variegata, known as an evergreen shrub, was found to have multiple leaf spots in Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, China. A fungus was isolated from the margins of the lesions and one isolate JS-RL3 was selected for identification and pathogenicity tests. The morphological characteristics of the fungus were similar to Botrytis cinerea. Phylogenetic analysis using concatenated sequences of ITS and G3PDH also showed that isolate JS-RL3 clustered with strains of B. cinerea, a relationship supported by a 100% bootstrap value. This report is the first of B. cinerea causing leaf spots on A. japonica var. variegata.     

Alternative eucalypts for commercial pulpwood production at moderately dry sites in the warm temperate zone of KwaZulu-Natal,South Africa

During 2001, a series of four site–taxa interaction trials was established in the warm temperate (mean annual temperature range 16–19 °C) forestry climatic zone of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. The main objective was to investigate the commercial forestry potential of a range of alternative Eucalyptus and Corymbia taxa for moderately dry (mean annual precipitation < 850 mm) sites within the zone. At rotation end, all trials received final standing tree measurements. At one of the sites (Rockvale), trees of eight promising alternative taxa were felled, stem measurements and wood samples taken, and wood and fibre productivities determined. On the basis of tree growth and wood and fibre production, C. citriodora subsp. variegata, C. henryi, E. badjensis, E. benthamii and E. dorrigoensis (listed alphabetically) demonstrated the greatest potential as commercial alternatives for moderately dry sites in the KZN warm temperate zone. The majority of these taxa showed strong site specificity. Eucalyptus benthamii was the only taxon showing high growth adaptability to the entire range of site conditions applied in the series. The non-susceptibility of C. citriodora subsp. variegata and C. henryi to the current topical insect pests Thaumastocoris peregrinus, Leptocybe invasa and Glycaspis brimblecombei elevates the appeal of these taxa as potential alternative planting choices for moderately dry sites within lower altitude (<1 100 m asl) areas of the climate zone. The matching of the most promising alternative taxa in the series to the range of sites encountered in moderately dry areas of the KZN warm temperate forestry zone is discussed in this paper.     

First report of Curvularia leaf spot,caused by Curvularia affinis on Dalbergia sissoo

A new foliar disease was observed on sissoo in Jaipur and Udaipur districts of Rajasthan, India. The disease occurred in approximately 30% of the trees surveyed. Leaf spots were mostly irregular and these start from leaf margin to inwards. The fungus was identified as Curvularia affinis Boedijn and Koch’s postulates fulfilled. On the basis of the literature, this is the first report of C. affinis causing leaf spot of Dalbergia sissoo from India as well as worldwide.     

桉树青枯病研究进展

桉树青枯病在国内外均有发生，其病原菌为茄拉尔氏菌Ralstonia solanacearum(Smith) Yabuuchi et a1．，属生理小种1号；其生物型有2种类型，在巴西为生物型Ⅰ，在中国、澳大利亚、南非和刚果为生物型Ⅲ。该文对桉树青枯病的流行规律和防治方法进行了全面的阐述，并提出了持续控制桉树青枯病的策略。     

Spatiotemporal dynamics of bacterial wilt in Eucalyptus

Bacterial wilt (caused by Ralstonia spp.) is one of the most damaging diseases of Eucalyptus species, and is responsible for substantial losses to producers. For efficient, scientifically-based management of this disease, it is necessary to understand the various factors involved in its development, including greater knowledge of the epidemiology of the pathogen on Eucalyptus spp. This study aimed to determine the spatialtemporal dynamics of bacterial wilt in Eucalyptus under natural infection conditions. An experiment was conducted in a commercial plantation in the municipality of Itinga, state of Maranhão, Brazil, using the clone FGCA0385 (Eucalyptus urophylla var. platyphylla). The study comprised of four plots composed of 450 plants each, subdivided into nine rows with 50 plants per row with a spacing of 3 × 3 m. Disease incidence was quantified over 1 year. The spatial dynamics of the disease was determined using the dispersion index, a modified Taylor law, and the analysis of the dynamics and structure of foci. For temporal dynamics, the curve of the disease incidence progress was plotted, and the data were analysed by simple linear regression analysis fitted to three empirical models: logistic, monomolecular, and Gompertz. The distribution pattern of Eucalyptus bacterial wilt was random, as confirmed by the Index of dispersion. Analysis of the dynamics and structure of the foci, showed that 69 disease foci occurred, 44 of which were unitary, with an average number of plants per focus of 1.63. Foci had greater length in the direction of the planting line. The epidemics were best described by the monomolecular model, with an estimated incidence of Eucalyptus bacterial wilt of 27.77% in the fourth year of the study. According to the spatiotemporal dynamics of this work, management strategies such as eliminating symptomatic plants and crop renovation can be used based on economic viability.     

青枯菌对桉树及非寄主树木根部吸附和侵入的比较

通过接种青枯菌与非病原的大肠杆菌,对2个桉树无性系和1种非寄主树木的根表吸附菌量及根内含菌量进行测定.结果表明:青枯菌对感病寄主根表的吸附量多于对抗病寄主和非寄主根表的吸附量,对感病寄主根部的侵入量多于对抗病寄主但少于对非寄主根部的侵入量;病原菌较非病原菌对感病寄主根表的吸附量大,但二者对感病寄主根部的侵入量则依据根部伤口的有无而互有高低.青枯菌接种24 h内,感病寄主根表吸附菌量和根内含菌量呈上升趋势,在抗病寄主及非寄主根表的吸附菌量和根内含菌量却呈下降趋势.从统计学上看,青枯菌对寄主根部的吸附和侵入都显示出了一定的选择性,但由于病原细菌能够大量地吸附和侵入抗病寄主和非寄主根部,非病原细菌也能够大量地吸附和侵入桉树根部,因此这种选择性的生物学意义不大,青枯菌对桉树根表没有表现出明显的识别行为.     

木麻黄青枯病研究概述

木麻黄青枯病是我国东南沿海的一种毁灭性林木细菌病害.该文全面回顾了木麻黄青枯病的发生历史,系统介绍了病害的病原、症状、发生条件及流行规律,概述了青枯菌对木麻黄的致病机制、木麻黄的抗性分化和变异、抗性测定、抗病机制的研究进展,以及木麻黄青枯病的控制策略和防治措施,并对未来研究提出了展望.     

轮枝菌属真菌所致林木枯萎病研究进展

由轮枝菌属Verticillium真菌侵染所致林木枯萎病是一种毁灭性的土传病害,目前尚缺乏有效的防治手段.该文系统论述了该属真菌所致林木枯萎病研究现状,包括轮枝菌属分类的演化进程,重要种V.dahliae和V.albo-atrum的特征、林木枯萎病的症状特点及寄主的抗病性、由V.dahliae引起的林木枯萎病的检测技术,列举了抗感病树种,并对林木枯萎病的控制及生物防治的研究进行了展望.