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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 #375176
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: Decontamination of ceratocystis pathogens responsible for rapid 'ohi'a death

Author
item ROY, KYLLE - Us Geological Survey (USGS)
item BJONTEGARD, NIKKO - University Of Hawaii
item JAENECKE, KELLY - University Of Hawaii
item MIKROS, DAN - University Of Hawaii
item DUNKLE, ELLEN - Us Geological Survey (USGS)
item YANGER, CORIE - University Of Hawaii
item Sugiyama, Lionel
item Keith, Lisa
item 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.