Australasian Plant Pathology (2010) 39, 383-393

M.N. Cortinas, I. Barnes, M.J. Wingfield and B.D. Wingfield (2010)
Genetic diversity in the Eucalyptus stem pathogen Teratosphaeria zuluensis
Australasian Plant Pathology 39 (5), 383-393
Abstract: Coniothyrium canker caused by the fungal pathogen Teratosphaeria (= Coniothyrium) zuluensis is one of the most important diseases affecting plantation-grown Eucalyptus trees. Little is known regarding the pathogen and this study consequently considers the genetic diversity and population structure of T. zuluensis. Eleven microsatellites markers, of which six were developed in this study, were used to analyse two temporally separated populations of T. zuluensis from South Africa, one population from Malawi and one population from China. Results showed that the populations of T. zuluensis have a moderate to high diversity and that clonal reproduction is predominant. There was also evidence that the genetic diversity of the pathogen in South Africa has increased over time. Comparison of T. zuluensis populations from South Africa, Malawi and China suggest that South Africa is most probably not the centre of origin of the pathogen as has previously been suggested.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Brenda D. Wingfield, Michael J. Wingfield, Irene Barnes

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
molecular biology - genes

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Teratosphaeria zuluensis	Eucalypt (Eucalyptus)	Malawi
	Teratosphaeria zuluensis	Eucalypt (Eucalyptus)	South Africa