Did Canada geese or other birds spread Cylindrocladium Black Rot of peanuts?

Abstract

The initial appearance of Cylindrocladium black rot (Cylidrocladium crotalaria) of peanuts in Virginia was quite disperse and suggestive of having been spread by birds. Bird utilization of twenty peanut fields was observed at monthly intervals for one year. The 20 fields were located in two areas of southeastern Virginia. A total of 30 bird species were observed using these fields. Fecal material, soil from feet, and crop contents were taken from six bird species collected in the fields and analyzed forC. crotalariae. Soil samples from a blackbird (Icteridae spp.) winter roost in the area were also analyzed forC. crotalariae. None of the samples taken showed presence of the fungus. Microsclerotia of the fungus were force-fed by intubation to three species (12 birds each) of captive birds (Canada geese, Japanese quail, northern bobwhite) to determine viability after passage through the gastrointestinal tract. No viable microclerotia were detected (based on cultivation trials) in fecal material taken from birds intubated with microsclerotia. Two of 15 Canada geese each force-fed a porous bag container with 5000 microsclerotia yielded 3 and 2 viable microsclerotia each in feces. It was concluded that birds were not significant factors in spreading the Cylindrocladium black rot disease.