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Isolation, Behavioral Identification, and Pathogenicity Assessment of Entomopathogenic Fungi from a Forest Wood Borer
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Foliicolous microfungi occurring on Encephalartos.

P W Crous1, A R Wood, G Okada

  • 1CBS Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands;

Persoonia
|April 17, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Novel microfungi were discovered on diseased Encephalartos (bread tree) species in South Africa. This research identifies new fungal pathogens and hosts, impacting the conservation of these important African cycads.

Keywords:
CatenulostromaCladophialophoraDactylariaITS nrDNALSU nrDNAOchroconisPhaeomoniellaSaccharataTeratosphaeriasystematics

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Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Plant Pathology
  • African Botany

Background:

  • Encephalartos, commonly known as bread trees or cycads, comprise over 60 species native to Africa and are vital to indigenous flora.
  • A recent leaf blight disease outbreak was observed on Encephalartos altensteinii at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, South Africa.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize novel microfungi associated with leaf blight disease in Encephalartos species.
  • To establish new host records for known microfungi and document hyperparasitism.

Main Methods:

  • Fungal isolation and identification from diseased leaf tissues of Encephalartos altensteinii, E. lebomboensis, and E. princeps.
  • Morphological and potentially molecular characterization of isolated microfungi.
  • Documentation of host-fungus associations and parasitic interactions.

Main Results:

  • Several novel microfungi were isolated, including Phaeomoniella capensis, Saccharata kirstenboschensis, Teratosphaeria altensteinii, and T. encephalarti.
  • New host records were established for Cladophialophora proteae and Catenulostroma microsporum on Encephalartos.
  • A hyperparasite, Dactylaria leptosphaeriicola, was identified on Teratosphaeria encephalarti ascomata.

Conclusions:

  • The study reveals novel fungal pathogens affecting African Encephalartos species, contributing to our understanding of cycad diseases.
  • New host associations expand the known host range of several microfungi, including those previously found only on Proteaceae.
  • The discovery of a hyperparasite highlights complex fungal interactions within the affected ecosystem.