Poster: Biology & Disease Mgmt: Mycology
63-P
Ganoderma Species Associated with Declining or Dead Trees in the Southeastern United States
A. LOYD (1), J. Smith (2), R. Blanchette (3), B. Held (3), C. Barnes (4), M. Schink (6) (1) Bartlett Tree Experts/University of Florida, U.S.A.; (2) University of Florida, U.S.A.; (3) University of Minnesota, U.S.A.; (4) Departamento Nacional de Proteccio
Ganoderma is a large and diverse genus of wood decay fungi that can cause a white rot of the lower bole or roots of hardwood, conifer and palm trees. The pathogenicity and decay ability within the genus is understudied. Some, such as G. zonatum are aggressive pathogens, and have been associated with tree failure and mortality of mature palms, while others, such as G. applanatum s.l., are often saprophytic causing decay in old, weakened tress, but can also be facultative pathogens. Ganoderma species identification tools are needed to assist arborists with predicting tree failure when fruiting bodies of Ganoderma are present. Based on a preliminary survey of Ganoderma species found in Southeastern United States, over 100 isolates representing different taxa were collected from living tree species and dead wood across 4 states: Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Taxa investigated in the survey were the G. applantum complex and related species, G. curtisii, G. meredithae, G. sessile, G. tsugae, G. tuberculosum, G. weberianum-subamboinens species complex, G. zonatum, and Tomophagus colossus (syn. G. colossus). Wood block decay assays are underway to quantify decay ability of select species. Future studies will investigate differences in decay rates and pathogenicity, host specialization and phylogeography of the most commonly observed Ganoderma taxa collected in the Southeastern United States.