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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Hilo, Hawaii » Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center » Tropical Plant Genetic Resources and Disease Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #364192
Research Project: Management, Characterization, and Evaluation of Pacific Tropical and Subtropical Fruit and Nut Genetic Resources and Associated Information

Location: Tropical Plant Genetic Resources and Disease Research

Title: Influence of culture media and temperature on growth and sporulation of Ceratocystis lukuohia

Author
item LUIZ, BLAINE - University Of Hawaii
item Keith, Lisa

Submitted to: Pacific Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/28/2020
Publication Date: 3/8/2021
Citation: Luiz, B., Keith, L.M. 2021. Influence of culture media and temperature on growth and sporulation of Ceratocystis lukuohia. Pacific Science. 74(4):389-394. https://doi.org/10.2984/74.4.6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2984/74.4.6

Interpretive Summary: Ceratocystis lukuohia is one of two newly described tree pathogens causing rapid ‘ohi‘a death, a disease that is devastating sections of native forest across the state of Hawai‘i, USA. C. lukuohia research has increased as the threat of the disease has become more apparent, resulting in a need for efficient production of fungal cultures to meet research demands. Therefore, the morphology, temperature/medium-dependent mycelium growth, and spore production of three isolates, one from the initial outbreak area of Leilani Estates and two from beyond the area, were assessed in culture. Based on these data, 25°C and 10% V8 are the optimal temperature and medium to produce C. lukuohia inoculum. These results contribute to the growing knowledge base of this newly discovered fungal pathogen and standardizes methodology for using single isolates for host-pathogen interaction studies.

Technical Abstract: Ceratocystis lukuohia is one of two newly described tree pathogens causing rapid ‘ohi‘a death, a disease that is devastating sections of native forest across the state of Hawai‘i, USA. C. lukuohia research has increased as the threat of the disease has become more apparent, resulting in a need for efficient production of fungal cultures to meet research demands. Therefore, the morphology, temperature/medium-dependent mycelium growth, and spore production of three isolates, one from the initial outbreak area of Leilani Estates and two from beyond the area, were assessed in culture. Inoculum production among C. lukuohia isolates was assessed and optimal conditions were determined. Growth measured as mycelium diameter for isolates P14-1-1, P15-80, and P16-7 did not differ after 7 days of incubation. Optimal growth temperatures were 25-30°C on 10% V8 agar and 25°C on malt yeast extract agar (MYEA). Spore production of isolate P14-1-1 was most abundant at 25°C and on MYEA, followed by 10% V8, and MEA. Based on these data, 25°C and 10% V8 are the optimal temperature and medium to produce C. lukuohia inoculum. These results contribute to the growing knowledge base of this newly discovered fungal pathogen and standardizes methodology for using single isolates for host-pathogen interaction studies.