Management of Pests, Plant Diseases and Abiotic Disorders of Magnolia Species in the Southeastern United States: A Review

Abstract

The genus, Magnolia, encompasses a group of about 240 species of evergreen or deciduous trees and large shrubs. Magnolias are native to temperate, subtropical and tropical areas of southeastern Asia, eastern North America, Central America, the Caribbean and parts of South America. Native and nonnative Magnolia species have become prominent landscape plants in the southeastern U.S. due to their beauty, utility, relative ease of maintenance and broad adaptability to the region's climate and soils. Species introductions, breeding and selection programs over the last 50 years have produced superior selections with improved flowering, new flower colors and ornamental foliage and buds often featuring brown, copper or gold indumentum. Magnolia health and pest management is sometimes overlooked in both landscape and production settings because magnolia is considered to have relatively few pest and disease problems. Some abiotic disorders may mimic biotic damage or may render magnolia more susceptible to pests and diseases. When they occur, abiotic disorders, pests or diseases on magnolia can cause significant economic or aesthetic losses. This review focuses on magnolia culture in production and landscape settings with an emphasis on major pests, plant diseases and abiotic disorders affecting management of Magnolia species.