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Screening for Susceptibility of Macadamia to Euwallacea fornicatus and its Fungal Symbiont Fusarium euwallaceae

Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agriculture Biotechnology Institute, University of Pretoria, South Africa

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S. Fell

Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agriculture Biotechnology Institute, University of Pretoria, South Africa

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Z. W. de Beer

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9758-8987

Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agriculture Biotechnology Institute, University of Pretoria, South Africa

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, and

G. Fourie

^†Corresponding author: G. Fourie;

E-mail Address: gerda.fourie@up.ac.za

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2650-5448

Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agriculture Biotechnology Institute, University of Pretoria, South Africa

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Affiliations

Authors and Affiliations

D. Twiddy
S. Fell
Z. W. de Beer
G. Fourie^†

Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agriculture Biotechnology Institute, University of Pretoria, South Africa

Published Online:9 Mar 2021https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-07-20-1555-SC

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Abstract

The polyphagous shothole borer (Euwallacea fornicatus, PSHB), an ambrosia beetle, with its fungal symbiont, Fusarium euwallaceae, is responsible for Fusarium dieback (FD) in a wide range of woody hosts. In 2019, the first suspected case of E. fornicatus was reported in macadamia in South Africa. The aims of this study were to confirm the E. fornicatus report and thereafter to assess the susceptibility of commercially planted macadamia cultivars to FD caused by F. euwallaceae. The identities of the beetle and associated fungal symbionts were confirmed by means of DNA sequence analysis of the 28S ribosomal large subunit gene for beetles and the internal transcribed spacer region for fungi. Isolates identified as Fusarium species were further characterized by phylogenetic analysis of the translation elongation factor 1α and the β-tubulin gene regions. Thereafter, Koch’s postulates regarding F. euwallaceae were fulfilled on a mature Macadamia integrifolia tree planted at the experimental farm of the University of Pretoria. In order to determine susceptibility against FD, additional cultivar screening was conducted on nine commercially planted cultivars by means of pathogenicity trials using sterilized or inoculated toothpicks inserted into detached branches. Detached branch inoculations showed no significant lesion development six weeks post inoculation, except for cultivar 816. The restricted growth of F. euwallaceae observed in macadamia tissues therefore suggests that macadamia may not be a suitable host for F. euwallaceae and that the threat of FD in macadamia in the event of E. fornicatus infestation is less than for other E. fornicatus hosts. Future work on beetle attraction to macadamia is recommended for a more comprehensive understanding of the interaction between E. fornicatus and its fungal symbionts and macadamia.

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Vol. 105, No. 4
April 2021

ISSN:0191-2917
e-ISSN:1943-7692

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Caption

Leaf symptom of field-grown ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit plant infected with Actinidia virus (L. Zhao et al.). Photo credit: L. Zhao. Leaf spot of Italian ryegrass naturally infected by Alternaria alternata (X. K. Wei et al.). Photo credit: L. H. Xue. Leaf of Ficus carica displaying symptoms of fig mosaic disease (S. Preising et al.). Photo credit: W. L. da Silva.

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Article History

Issue Date: 21 Apr 2021
Published: 9 Mar 2021
First Look: 21 Oct 2020
Accepted: 16 Oct 2020

Pages: 739-742

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The author(s) declare no conflict of interest.