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Quambalaria species: Increasing threat to eucalypt plantations in Australia
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Quambalaria species: Increasing threat to eucalypt plantations in Australia

Geoff S Pegg, A J Carnegie, M J Wingfield and A Drenth
Southern Forests, Vol.71(2), pp.111-114
2009
url
https://doi.org/10.2989/SF.2009.71.2.4.819View
Published Version

Abstract

Corymbia Quambalaria shoot blight
Spotted gum (Corymbia citriodora subsp. variegata andC. maculata) is a valuable source of commercial timber and suitable for a wide range of different soil types in eastern Australia. The main biological constraint to further expansion of spotted gum plantations is Quambalaria shoot blight caused by the fungus Quambalaria pitereka. Surveys conducted to evaluate the impact of Quambalaria shoot blight have shown that the disease is present in all spotted gum plantations and on a range of Corymbiaspecies and hybrids in subtropical and tropical regions surveyed in eastern Australia. More recently, Q. eucalypti has also been identified from a range of Eucalyptusspecies in these regions. Both pathogens have also been found associated with foliage blight and die-back of amenity trees and Q. piterekain native stands of Corymbiaspecies, which is the probable initial infection source for plantations. Infection by Q. piterekacommonly results in the repeated destruction of the growing tips and the subsequent formation of a bushy crown or death of trees in severe cases. In comparison, Q. eucalypti causes small, limited lesions and has in some cases been associated with insect feeding. It has not been recorded as causing severe shoot and stem blight. A better understanding of factors influencing disease development and host-pathogen interactions is essential in the development of a disease management strategy for these poorly understood but important pathogens in the rapidly expanding eucalypt (Corymbiaand Eucalyptusspp.) plantation industry in subtropical and tropical eastern Australia. © NISC Pty Ltd.

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