Pitch canker is present in Chile
In Chile, recent surveys carried out in nurseries of the area of Concepcíon revealed the presence of dying Pinus radiata grown in containers or in clonal hedges. Affected plants show resin exudates from collar and exposed roots, and pitch-soaked wood associated with these lesions. Affected plants appear to die rapidly. The presence of Fusarium circinatum (EPPO Alert List – anamorph Gibberella circinata) in affected P. radiata was confirmed by morphological traits, mating compatibility and molecular tests. So far, F. circinatum has only been found in Chile on P. radiata plants in nurseries, and not in tree plantations. The authors noted that this situation is similar to that in South Africa, where the fungus causes serious damage to seedlings in nurseries but not in natural stands or plantations as in USA. This confirms an earlier report of F. circinatum in Chile also on P. radiata seedlings (Kunstmann et al, 1986). The situation of F. circinatum in Chile can be described as follows: Present, found in Pinus radiata grown in nurseries in the area of Concepcíon.
Sources
Wingfield, M.J.; Jacobs, A.; Coutinho, T.A.; Ahumada, R.; Wingfield, B.D. (2002) First report of the pitch canker fungus, Fusarium circinatum, on pines in Chile.
New Disease Reports, volume 4, August 2001- January 2002.
Kunstmann, E; Osorio, M; Peredo, H (1986) Mycological identifications in forest nurseries in Region X of Chile.
Bosque, 7(1), 51-56.