Fungi Associated With Shboot Dieback of Podocarpus Falcatus
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Date
2006-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
In Ethiopia, information available on tree disease is limited and scanty. In the field survey
conducted in Menagesha-Suba and Munesa-shashemene natural forests the shoot dieback
was observed on Podocarplls falcalus. Symptoms were initially observed on leaves and
two-three small circular brown spots were found at the vety tip of the leading shoot.
Gradually the color of the leaves changes into yellow, and to light brown as the shoots
die. This symptom of dieback was observed both on seedlings, sapling and mature trees.
A study was conducted to understand which fungi was associated with shoot dieback.
Isolation was made ii-om the symptomatic plant part. Culture and spore morphology was
used to characterize the most common and frequently isolated fungi. Accordingly, it was
understood that 3 isolates belong to Alternaria genus, 4 isolates that grouped into genus
Phoma, 1 isolate to Pestalotiopsis and I isolate to genus Fusarium was found. Among
these isolates of Alternaria, isolates Pf-24 and 32 seem to be close to A.alternala and the
other one isolate Pf-53 seems to be close to A. arborescens. Two of the isolates in the
Phoma, Pf-42 and Pf-22 seems to be related with P. exigI/a and the other one resemble
P.leveillei. The other two isolates Pf-12 and 21 were unidentified. In the inoculation test
all the four groups of fungi produced lesion only on wounded leaves. The importance of
these fungi in relation with shoot dieback, however, needs further detailed investigation.
As far as our knowledge is concerned this is the first report of shoot dieback on
P falcatlls in the natural forest of Ethiopia. The impact of these diseases on Pfalcalus
should get due attention in the management of P.filicallis forest in Ethiopia.
KEY WORDS: Podocarplls filicatus, Alternaria species, Phoma species, Pestaloliopsis
species, Fusarium species, Shoot dieback
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Keywords
Podocarplls filicatus, Alternaria species, Phoma species, Pestaloliopsis species, Fusarium species, Shoot dieback