Project reference: 1998-04
Cyclaneusma Needle-Cast Bulletin
Project description:
Over the last 25 years the Forest Health group at FRI have undertaken a considerable amount of research on Cyclaneusma minus. Much of this work has been published in various papers, and recent work has been documented in unpublished project records. It is proposed to produce a bulletin on Cyclaneusma that covers all the work carried out so far on the biology of the fungus, its effect on growth, and methods of control.
The part on biology of the fungus will cover symptoms, infection cycle, and taxonomy of the fungus. There is evidence that there are three strains of Cyclaneusma that affect Pinus radiata in New Zealand, the distribution of these strains will be shown. Research is currently being undertaken on the pathogenicity of each strain, results to date will be presented.
Data on the effect of Cyclaneusma on tree growth have been collected from trials at Northland, Auckland, Kaingaroa, East Cape, Wellington, Nelson and Otago. Estimates of the growth loss of individual trees and of stand growth will be made. The incidence and severity of the disease in specific regions will be shown, based on results of aerial surveys and data collected by Forest Health Officers.
Results from trials set up to determine if the disease can be managed by selective thinning will be presented, along with results from trials on chemical control. The effect of pruning and thinning on disease incidence and severity will be discussed.
All the research on Cyclaneusma carried out by FRI will be presented in a single published up-to-date document, which will make referring to the disease much easier than referencing separate papers that were published over a span of 10 years.
Research Provider:
Forest Research
