Strategies to Combat Mycosphaerella Leaf Disease in Eucalyptus globulus Plantations in Northern Spain

Severiano Pérez,Carlos Tejedor,Alfredo Ortiz,Carlos Renedo,Felix Ortiz

doi:10.3390/f7090190

Abstract

Eucalyptus globulus is widely planted in temperate regions to produce pulp for its high performance but few studies of the impact of Mycosphaerella Leaf Disease (MLD) have been documented. This study aimed to explore and provide knowledge on disease in the management of young Eucalyptus globulus stands in the north of Spain. The influences of subspecies, cloning, and fertilization on the degree of severity of the disease were analyzed. The study was conducted with different material plants of Eucalyptus globulus, of Australian origin, from other sources, open-pollinated families, clones, and families of controlled pollination. Each series tested different vegetal material, except for a number of control codes that were used as reference samples for MLD evaluation. Severity, height at which foliage changes from juvenile to adult, total height, and volume were all measured. There were significant correlations in the average MLD severity of families and provenances obtained from the different trials. ANOVA revealed important differences between subspecies of E. globulus. A correlation was found between the percentage of adult leaf and the severity. There were differences in the impact of MLD between plant material non-selected and selected by its tolerance (p < 0.0001). There was a significant effect on the severity between mature cuttings and families from seed non-selected in their tolerance to MLD. Their tolerance was lower than that achieved from seed selected by its tolerance to MLD. Genetic selection was shown as the best strategy since there are individuals exceptionally tolerant to MLD.

Highlights

The forestry sector in Northern Spain and Northern Portugal is based on species belonging to the genera Pinus L., Quercus, Fagus L., and Eucalyptus L'Hér
Open-pollinated individual families, clones, and controlled-pollinated families are local selections made by the Forest Research Center Bosques 2000 SL from natural forest in Northern Spain
Fertilization benefits are not enough to dampen the damage caused by Mycosphaerella Leaf Disease (MLD) on growth of young plantations of E. globulus

Summary

Introduction

The forestry sector in Northern Spain and Northern Portugal is based on species belonging to the genera Pinus L., Quercus, Fagus L., and Eucalyptus L'Hér. 600 species, mostly from Australia, has undergone a spectacular development over the last 50 years [1]. In Cantabria (Northern Spain), the bioclimatic and geographical characteristics are optimal for the development of this forest species. Eucalyptus globulus was introduced into Northern Spain and Portugal in 1880 [6]. Development and improvement of this species began in the 1940s with the establishment of the Sniace group

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion