Description:
Eighteen isolates of Fusarium comprising four species (F. oxysporum, E.
avenaceum, E. acuminatum, and F. sambucinum) isolated from diseased conifer
seedlings from nurseries were tested for pathogenicity on Douglas-fir
germlings. Three of the most pathogenic F. oxysporum isolates on Douglas-fir
germlings were also tested on ponderosa pine germlings and older Douglas-fir
seedlings; three of the most pathogenic F. gamPucinum isolates on Douglas-fir
germlings were likewise tested on older Douglas-fir seedlings. Most F.
oxysporum isolates and all the other fusaria were highly pathogenic to
germlings. Level of virulence on germlings was best measured by rate of
infection and tissue degradation. All inoculated older Douglas-fir seedlings
became infected, although foliar disease symptoms were rare. Based on extent
of root system colonization, isolates of F. oxysporum were generally more
pathogenic to older Douglas-fir seedlings than F. sambucinum. These tests
confirm the wide range of pathogenicity of fusaria commonly isolated from
diseased seedlings.