Location: Tropical Plant Genetic Resources and Disease Research
Title: Decontamination of ceratocystis pathogens responsible for rapid 'ohi'a deathAuthor
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ROY, KYLLE - Us Geological Survey (USGS) |
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BJONTEGARD, NIKKO - University Of Hawaii |
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JAENECKE, KELLY - University Of Hawaii |
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MIKROS, DAN - University Of Hawaii |
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DUNKLE, ELLEN - Us Geological Survey (USGS) |
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YANGER, CORIE - University Of Hawaii |
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Sugiyama, Lionel |
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Keith, Lisa |
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PECK, ROBERT - Us Geological Survey (USGS) |
Submitted to: Plant Health Progress
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 8/19/2020 Publication Date: 10/6/2020 Citation: Roy, K., Bjontegard, N., Jaenecke, K., Mikros, D., Dunkle, E., Yanger, C., Sugiyama, L.S., Keith, L.M., Peck, R.W. 2020. Decontamination of ceratocystis pathogens responsible for rapid 'ohi'a death. Plant Health Progress. 21(4):301-305. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-06-20-0051-RS. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-06-20-0051-RS Interpretive Summary: Rapid 'Ohi'a Death (ROD) is caused by two recently described species of Ceratocystis, C. lukuohia and C. huliohia. These fungi are decimating 'ohi'a (Metrosideros polymorpha), a keystone native tree species in the Hawaiian Islands. Viable propagules of Ceratocystis have been found in ambrosia beetle frass (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), and movement of the frass may play a key role in the spread of the diseases. Practical and effective decontamination practices for both cultured C. lukuohia and huliohia and viable propagules embedded in ambrosia beetle frass were developed. Technical Abstract: Rapid 'Ohi'a Death (ROD) is caused by two recently described species of Ceratocystis, C. lukuohia and C. huliohia. These fungi are decimating 'ohi'a (Metrosideros polymorpha), a keystone native tree species in the Hawaiian Islands (Barnes et al. 2018). Viable propagules of Ceratocystis have been found in ambrosia beetle frass (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), and movement of the frass may play a key role in the spread of the diseases (Roy et al. 2019). Our objective was to develop practical and effective decontamination practices for both cultured C. lukuohia and huliohia and viable propagules embedded in ambrosia beetle frass. Various household disinfectants including Lysol®, Clorox® Bleach, ethanol, and isopropyl alcohol were equally effective at decontaminating cultured C. lukuohia and huliohia. While all concentrations of isopropyl were effective disinfectants after 30 seconds of contact with frass containing viable propagules of C. lukuohia, 1 hr treatments of ambrosia beetle frass with concentrations of up to 20% Clorox® Bleach were not completely effective in killing the fungi. |