A new pathogen causing premature needle cast of Pinus radiata in Greece
1989
Xenopoulos, G.S. (Ministry of Agriculture, Athens (Greece). Institute of Forest Research)
In April of 1986 a severe needlecast was observed in many trees of a plantation of Pinus radiata in the area of the mountain Pilion. The disease causes a yellowing of the previous year's foliage in early spring, which cast during April and May. Trees with severe attack bear only the current year needles during summer time. Preliminary studies showed that the disease is caused by the ascomycete fungus Cyclaneusma minus (DI COSMO et al). The first symptoms appeared in autumn on current or second year needles as light green or yellow spots. The fungus is readily isolated from the above needles with the first symptoms, as well as from the yellow needles just before they cast. Apothecia of the fungus can be found on the fallen needles. This record for the fungus is new for Greece, even though it has been described as a primary pathogen on P. radiata and other Pinus species in many European countries and N. America. Except of the Pilion region, the fungus was also found recently in another three plantations of P. radiata in central Peloponese.
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