Description:
Isolates of Fusarium oxysporum, F. acuminatum, and F. sambucinum obtained from
peat-vermiculite soil mixes were tested for pathogenicity on ponderosa pine,
lodgepole pine, western larch, and blue spruce containerized seedlings and on
germination of Scots pine and blue spruce seed. Ponderosa pine seedling were
the least susceptible to killing by the Fusarium isolates tested. Fusarium
acuminatum was the most pathogenic and F. sambucinum the least pathogenic on
seedlings. Isolates of F. oxysporum ranged in virulence from very low to
moderately high. The only isolate that consistently reduced seed germination
was F. acuminatum. Time required for germination was generally not affected by
the Fusarium isolate tested. Seedling inoculation techniques allowed for
successful differentiation of the pathogenic potential of the Fusarium isolates
tested.