Browsing by Author "Van Dyk, Meagan"

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    Characterisation, epidemiology and management of olive trunk disease pathogens in South Africa
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-04) Van Dyk, Meagan; Halleen, Francois; Mostert, Lizel; Spies, Chris, F. J.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of AgriSciences. Dept. of Plant Pathology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Olive Sector Development Plan of the Department of Trade and Industry identified low production and the lack of local research as weaknesses of the olive industry in South Africa. The management of trunk diseases forms an integral part of practices aimed at increasing olive production. A recent olive trunk disease survey performed in the Western Cape Province, South Africa, identified an undescribed Pseudophaeomoniella sp. as the most prevalent fungus associated with the trunk disease symptoms, with other fungal species occurring at much lower frequencies. In the current study, 40 of these isolates were selected for a pathogenicity study. The species forming lesions included several Botryosphaeriaceae, Phaeoacremonium and Phaeomoniellaceae species, as well as Biscogniauxia mediterranea, Coniochaeta velutina, Diaporthe foeniculina, Didymocyrtis banksiae, Eutypa lata, Pleurostoma richardsiae, Symbiotaphrina buchneri, isolates of the Cytospora pruinosa complex, and a Cytospora sp., Fomitiporella sp., Geosmithia sp. and Punctularia sp. The Pseudophaeomoniella sp. formed among the longest lesions, affirming its status as a potentially important trunk pathogen. Long distance dispersal of olive trunk pathogens is expected to occur via infected nursery material, similar to that found in other systems such as in grape and fruit trees. Nurseries as an inoculum source was investigated by making isolations from asymptomatic cuttings from mother blocks (Stage 1), rooted cuttings (Stage 2) and 1–2-year-old trees (Stage 3) of eight cultivars in two nurseries. Known olive trunk pathogens of the Botryosphaeriaceae, Diaporthaceae, Nectriaceae, Phaeomoniellaceae, Pleurostomataceae and Togniniaceae were recovered. Neofusicoccum australe was detected in a single Stage 1 cutting. Stage 3 material showed the highest incidence of fungi from these families, with P. richardsiae having the highest incidence in both nurseries (82.2% and 36.7% of the 1–2-year-old trees). Phaeoacremonium parasiticum was present in 28.9% of the trees from one nursery (Stage 3). The remaining pathogens occurred in 13.3% or less of the material. Pseudophaeomoniella sp. was present in the nurseries but at low frequencies. This suggests that alternative inoculum sources of this pathogen exists. A nested species-specific PCR was developed for the detection of Pseudophaeomoniella sp. from spore washes of pruning debris collected from established olive orchards. Pruning debris identified with a positive PCR was evaluated microscopically. Pycnidia of Pseudophaeomoniella sp. were observed on the pruning debris. Based on previous research, it is expected that the spore release coincides with rainfall and that the spores can be dispersed onto pruning wounds. The susceptibility of wounds from winter and spring pruning to Pseudophaeomoniella sp. was compared. Two-year-old olive branches of 16-year-old olive trees were pruned and inoculated with spore suspensions of Pseudophaeomoniella sp. at different time-points after pruning. The pruning wounds were susceptible for up to 42 days, with no difference between seasons (winter vs. spring). The wounds were the most susceptible within the first week after pruning. Eleven pruning wound protectants were evaluated and applied on pruning wounds made on 16–17-year-old trees directly after pruning. The treated wounds and positive (non-treated) controls were challenged with spore suspensions of Pseudophaeomoniella sp. at 1 or 7 days after pruning. Under low inoculum pressure (first season), Garrison, MT1, Neocil Plus and Tree Seal, reduced Pseudophaeomoniella sp. infections, while the Trichoderma-based protectant, MT1, was considered the most effective water-based protectant. Under higher inoculum pressure (during the second season), Tree Seal and Coprox Super/Bendazid consistently performed the best. In conclusion, several fungal species were identified as olive trunk pathogens, with Pseudophaeomoniella sp. being identified as one of the most important olive trunk pathogens. The propagation process was identified as a source of inoculum for some pathogens, including Pseudophaeomoniella sp. Inoculum sources of Pseudophaeomoniella sp. were also identified in established orchards. Olive pruning wounds are susceptible to Pseudophaeomoniella sp. for prolonged periods. MT1 was highly effective under lower inoculum pressure, while Tree Seal and Coprox/Bendazid were highly effective under high inoculum pressure. This study led to new knowledge with regards to olive trunk diseases, their pathogenicity, detection, epidemiology and control which can be used for the development of improved management strategies of olive trunk diseases in South Africa.