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Melampsora and Marssonina pathogens of poplars and willows in New Zealand
Author(s) -
Spiers A. G.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
european journal of forest pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.535
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1439-0329
pISSN - 0300-1237
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0329.1998.tb01178.x
Subject(s) - biology , salicaceae , willow , botany , larch , canker , host (biology) , hybrid , salix viminalis , woody plant , ecology
Summary New Zealand has hosted three Melampsora species attacking poplars ( Populus spp.), namely, Melampsora larici‐populina, Melampsora medusae and for a single season, Melampsora medusae‐populina , a unique interspecific hybrid. The predominant species, M. larici‐populina , over‐winters via larch and each year new races appear causing defoliation of previously rust‐resistant cultivars. Melampsora medusae also occurs in some seasons following over‐wintering on certain hosts or by aerial transport from Australia. Willows ( Salix spp.) host four Melampsora species, Melampsora coleosporioides, Melampsora epitea var. epitea and two unidentified species attacking Salix viminalis and Salix daphnoides/Salix incana × open pollinated hybrids, respectively. The host range and pathogenicity of these species have remained static as no breakdown in host resistance has been observed. The anthracnose fungi, Marssonina brunnea and Marssonina castagnei on poplar, and Marssonina salicicola on tree willows occur throughout New Zealand. All three species can cause severe defoliation of susceptible cultivars in moist districts where annual rainfall exceeds 1000 mm. Although all form abundant microconidia during autumn, the Drepanopeziza states have never been observed in New Zealand. During an unusually wet summer (199–93), a new strain of Marssonina salicicoa appeared which defoliated the previously resistant cultivar, salix matsudana × salix alba cv. 1002 The importance of monitoring the morphological (conidial dimensions, DNA fingerprints) and physiological (host range and pathogenicity) attributes of local populations of Melampsora and Marssonina species is discussed.