A rapid,apple-based test for virulence in Cryphonectria cubensis isolates

The presence of the Eucalyptus canker pathogen Cryphonectria cubensis in South Africa is of concern to the local forestry industry. Quantification of the virulence of this fungus through the inoculation of trees, is both time consuming, and expensive. In this study, the potential to use apples in screening for virulence of isolates of C. cubensis, was tested using different apple cultivars and inoculation procedures. The best indication of virulence was given on Golden Delicious apples incubated at 25°C for 14 days. Here, the lesion size associated with inoculations of C. cubensis, was found to correlate significantly with the virulence of the isolates, as determined by inoculations on trees.