Alternative species to replaceMonterey pine plantations affected by pitch canker caused byFusarium circinatumin northernSpain

Abstract

The pitch canker pathogenFusarium circinatumwas first found to cause damage in nurseries and pine plantations in northern Spain in 2004. Since then, establishment of pine plantations in the region has decreased as a result of the prohibitions placed on plantingPinusspp. andPseudotsuga menziesiiin areas affected by the disease. However, although most pine species have been found to be susceptible to the pathogen under nursery conditions, little is known about how the fungus affects the trees in the field. Furthermore, it is not known whether some of the native or exotic species commonly planted in the area are also susceptible toF. circinatum. The aim of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility of several conifer species commonly planted in northern Spain to the pitch canker pathogen. For this purpose, two different trials were carried out, one under controlled laboratory conditions and the other in the field. Although most of the conifers were affected by the pathogen in the laboratory tests, onlyPinus radiata,Pinus nigra,Pinus pinasterandPinus uncinatawere susceptible to the pathogen in the field.