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Mycosphaerella species causing leaf disease in South African Eucalyptus plantations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 June 2004

Gavin C. HUNTER ,
Jolanda ROUX ,
Brenda D. WINGFIELD ,
Pedro W. CROUS  and
Michael J. WINGFIELD
Gavin C. HUNTER
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa. E-mail: gavin.hunter@fabi.up.ac.za
Jolanda ROUX
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa. E-mail: gavin.hunter@fabi.up.ac.za
Brenda D. WINGFIELD
Affiliation:
Department of Genetics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa.
Pedro W. CROUS
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa. E-mail: gavin.hunter@fabi.up.ac.za Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Michael J. WINGFIELD
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa. E-mail: gavin.hunter@fabi.up.ac.za
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Abstract

Commercial Eucalyptus plantations provide an important source of hardwood for forestry industries, worldwide. Several species of Mycosphaerella are associated with a destructive Eucalyptus leaf disease known as Mycosphaerella Leaf Blotch (MLB). During 2000, a survey was undertaken in several commercial Eucalyptus growing areas of South Africa to determine the identity of the Mycosphaerella spp. contributing to outbreaks of MLB. Symptomatic leaf samples were collected from three major Eucalyptus growing areas and the Mycosphaerella spp. were isolated. Isolates were identified using morphology, ascospore germination patterns and sequence data from the ribosomal DNA operon. Six species, namely M. ellipsoidea, M. irregulariramosa, M. juvenis, M. lateralis, M. marksii, M. nubilosa, as well as a new species, described here as M. fori sp. nov., were recognized. Mycosphaerella nubilosa was the most common species isolated from commercial plantations, particularly on E. nitens, and appears to be the dominant species contributing to MLB. Data obtained in this study show that MLB is caused by a complex of species contributing to disease outbreaks in South Africa.

Type
Research Article
Information
Mycological Research , Volume 108 , Issue 6 , June 2004 , pp. 672 - 681
Copyright
© The British Mycological Society 2004

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