Pathogenicity and colonization of Metrosideros polymorpha by Ceratocystis huliohia

• DOI: 10.1111/efp.12865
• Publication Date: 2024-06-03T05:15:40Z
• Authors: Jennifer Juzwik; Marc A. Hughes; Lisa M. Keith
• Keywords: Ceratocystis

Abstract Both Ceratocystis lukuohia and C. huliohia have been associated with Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD), an emerging threat to ʻōhiʻa ( Metrosideros polymorpha ), a keystone forest tree species. The vascular wilt disease caused by has recently described is responsible for the widespread ROD epidemic on Hawai'i Island. However, role of in development death not clear. Artificial inoculation field‐grown dissections naturally infected, early symptomatic trees were conducted confirm pathogenicity field grown pattern internal colonization. In two trials, crowns main stems inoculated visually healthy at time harvest after 43–55 days first trial, 91 second trial. elliptical inner bark cankers underlain reddish‐brown xylem points. Similar canker stain symptoms found branches (24–26 cm trunk diameter) infected . This manifested as multiple distinct or coalescing cankers. pathogen was commonly isolated from perimeter stained outer sapwood depth 4 cm. coalescence crown observed that dissected. Multiple infections lead which subsequently girdle likely occurs over one more years compared shorter (e.g., months) required ‐caused occur.