Farm Forestry New Zealand
PESTS AND DISEASES OF FORESTRY IN NEW ZEALAND
Infection courts used by Neonectria fuckeliana, the cause of nectria flute canker
Scion is the leading provider of forest-related knowledge in New Zealand
Formerly known as the Forest Research Institute, Scion has been a leader in research relating to forest health for over 50 years. The Rotorua-based Crown Research Institute continues to provide science that will protect all forests from damage caused by insect pests, pathogens and weeds. The information presented below arises from these research activities.
From Forest Health News 220, November/December 2011.
Although flute cankers caused by Neonectria fuckeliana are invariably associated with pruned branch stubs, studies have shown that direct entry through the stub is not the only possible, or even the most likely, entry method for the fungus. Inoculation of a spore suspension directly into stubs results in only small stem depressions in a small percentage of trees and the fungus is largely contained within the branch trace.
A number of trials aimed at identifying possible infection courts have been carried out. A high percentage (>70%) of trees inoculated directly into the stem developed cankers though length and severity of cankering was highly variable between trees. The fungus killed branches that were cut to 200-400 mm long stubs and inoculated at the cut end but movement of the fungus through the branch towards the stem was slow.
Neonectria fuckeliana has been found in some trees prior to pruning and bark cracks and branch crotches are considered to be likely infection courts. For more information see:
Hopkins, A J M; Dick, M A; Carlson, C A; Crane, P E; Early investigations into the infection courts used by Neonectria fuckeliana to enter Pinus radiata stems. European Journal of Plant Pathology, DOI 10.1007/s10658-011-9899-7, November 2011.
This information is intended for general interest only. It is not intended to be a substitute for specific specialist advice on any matter and should not be relied on for that purpose. Scion will not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or exemplary damages, loss of profits, or any other intangible losses that result from using the information provided on this site.
(Scion is the trading name of the New Zealand Forest Research Institute Limited.)
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