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Development of disease caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi in mature Xanthorrhoe australis

Version 2 2024-06-16, 13:24
Version 1 2014-10-27, 16:25
journal contribution
posted on 2024-06-16, 13:24 authored by M Aberton, B Wilson, J Hill, David CahillDavid Cahill
Over the past 30 years, heathland and open forest communities in south-eastern Australia dominated by Xanthorrhoea australis R.Br. have been severely affected by disease caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands. The disease has caused a sharp decline in numbers of individuals within populations of X. australis; however, the etiology of the disease is unclear. The characteristics and disease symptoms induced by P. cinnamomi were analysed within nine mature X. australis plants that had been removed from the field. Seven plants showed typical disease symptoms that ranged from chlorotic leaves through to plant death. Plants showing disease symptoms had different numbers of infected roots, ranging from 0% in one dead plant, 40% infected roots in a plant showing yellowing of leaf tips and 67 and 86%, respectively, in two plants with severe chlorosis. There was variation within the roots, with some infected close to the stem while others were infected at more distal regions. Within stems of all plants, P. cinnamomi was difficult to isolate but was found in the desmium and stem apex and was associated with massive lesions within the central area of the stem. The symptoms of disease in X. australis are caused by a combination of damage to tissues of the roots and stem that may lead to a reduction in water and mineral transport throughout the plant.

History

Journal

Australian journal of botany

Volume

49

Pagination

209-219

Location

Melbourne, Vic.

ISSN

0067-1924

eISSN

1444-9862

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2001, CSIRO

Issue

2

Publisher

CSIRO Publishing