Geosmithia morbida, Thousand Cankers Disease of Black Walnut Pathogen, Was Found for the First Time in Southwestern Ohio

2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 36 ◽  
Author(s):  
John R. Fisher ◽  
David P. McCann ◽  
Nancy J. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Black Walnut ◽  
Phytopathogenic Fungus ◽  
Geosmithia Morbida ◽  
Thousand Cankers Disease ◽  
First Time

Thousand cankers disease of walnut is a recently described disease caused by a newly described phytopathogenic fungus, Geosmithia morbida. G. morbida is now established in the Ohio landscape and has likely been present longer than initially suspected. Accepted for publication 28 October 2012. Published 1 December 2013.

scholarly journals Methyl Bromide Fumigation to Eliminate Thousand Cankers Disease Causal Agents from Black Walnut

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 452-459
Author(s):  
Kendhl W Seabright ◽  
Scott W Myers ◽  
Stephen W Fraedrich ◽  
Albert E Mayfield ◽  
Melissa L Warden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Methyl Bromide ◽  
The United States ◽  
Black Walnut ◽  
Wood Products ◽  
Treatment Schedule ◽  
Geosmithia Morbida ◽  
Thousand Cankers Disease ◽  
Pathogen Recovery ◽  
Canker Development ◽  
Walnut Twig Beetle

Abstract Phytosanitary treatments for logs and barked wood products are needed to mitigate the spread of thousand cankers disease through the movement of these commodities. The disease threatens eastern black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) populations in the United States. It is caused by repeated attacks by the walnut twig beetle (Pityophthorus juglandis Blackman) and subsequent canker development caused by the fungal pathogen Geosmithia morbida M. Kolařík et al. Methyl bromide (MB) fumigations were evaluated for efficacy against P. juglandis and G. morbida in J. nigra bolts. Fumigation with 82 mg/L MB for 24 h at 4.5° C eliminated P. juglandis in J. nigra, but was ineffective against G. morbida. Subsequent experiments focused on eliminating G. morbida, but results were inconclusive because of low rates of pathogen recovery from naturally infested control bolts. Final experiments used J. nigra bolts artificially inoculated with G. morbida. Fumigations with 240 and 320 mg/L MB for 72 h at 10° C were effective in eliminating G. morbida from J. nigra bolts. Results confirm that the USDA fumigation treatment schedule for logs with the oak wilt pathogen will also mitigate the risk of spreading the thousand cankers disease vector and pathogen by movement of walnut bolts and wood products.

Genetic differentiation and spatial structure of Geosmithia morbida, the causal agent of thousand cankers disease in black walnut (Juglans nigra)

2013 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denita Hadziabdic ◽  
Lisa M. Vito ◽  
Mark T. Windham ◽  
Jay W. Pscheidt ◽  
Robert N. Trigiano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Differentiation ◽  
Spatial Structure ◽  
Black Walnut ◽  
Causal Agent ◽  
Juglans Nigra ◽  
Geosmithia Morbida ◽  
Thousand Cankers Disease

scholarly journals De novo genome assembly of Geosmithia morbida, the causal agent of thousand cankers disease

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taruna Aggarwal ◽  
Anthony Westbrook ◽  
Kirk Broders ◽  
Keith Woeste ◽  
Matthew D MacManes
Keyword(s):  
Genome Assembly ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Draft Genome ◽  
Black Walnut ◽  
De Novo Genome Assembly ◽  
Evolutionary Mechanisms ◽  
Geosmithia Morbida ◽  
Thousand Cankers Disease ◽  
Walnut Twig Beetle

Geosmithia morbida is a filamentous ascomycete that causes Thousand Cankers Disease in the eastern black walnut tree. This pathogen is commonly found in the western U.S.; however, recently the disease was also detected in several eastern states where the black walnut lumber industry is concentrated. G. morbida is one of two known phytopathogens within the genus Geosmithia, and it is vectored into the host tree via the walnut twig beetle. We present the first de novo draft genome of G. morbida. It is 26.5 Mbp in length and contains less than 1% repetitive elements. The genome possesses an estimated 6,273 genes, 277 of which are predicted to encode proteins with unknown functions. Approximately 31.5% of the proteins in G. morbida are homologous to proteins involved in pathogenicity, and 5.6% of the proteins contain signal peptides that indicate these proteins are secreted. Several studies have investigated the evolution of pathogenicity in pathogens of agricultural crops; forest fungal pathogens are often neglected because research efforts are focused on food crops. G. morbida is one of the few tree phytopathogens to be sequenced, assembled and annotated. The first draft genome of G. morbida serves as a valuable tool for comprehending the underlying molecular and evolutionary mechanisms behind pathogenesis within the Geosmithia genus. Keywords: de novo genome assembly, pathogenesis, forest pathogen, black walnut, walnut twig beetle.

scholarly journals Insects collected from wood infested with Pityophthorus juglandis Blackman (Coleoptera Curculionidae Scolytinae) in the Piemonte region, Northwestern Italy

2018 ◽  
pp. 21-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Bosio ◽  
Crystal Cooke-McEwen
Keyword(s):  
First Record ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Black Walnut ◽  
Northern California ◽  
Pityophthorus Juglandis ◽  
Thousand Cankers Disease ◽  
Multiple Species ◽  
Walnut Twig Beetle ◽  
First Time ◽  
Accidental Introduction

The walnut twig beetle, Pityophthorus juglandis Blackman (Coleoptera Curculionidae Scolytinae), and thousand cankers disease are documented in the Piemonte region of Northern Italy for the first time.  Northern California is found to be the likely origin of the Piemonte walnut twig beetles based on the comparison of CO1 haplotypes. Multiple species of parasitoids have been reared from black walnut wood infested with the invasive walnut twig beetle.  These rearings constitute the first record of the genus Neocalosoter Girault and Dodd (Hymenoptera Pteromalidae Cerocephalinae) in Europe and are likely due to accidental introduction along with the host beetle. Two specimens of Theocolax spp. are described as morphological anomalies with geographical origins unknown.   

scholarly journals Virulence of Genetically Distinct Geosmithia morbida Isolates to Black Walnut and Their Response to Coinoculation with Fusarium solani

Plant Disease ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 101 (1) ◽  
pp. 116-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachael A. Sitz ◽  
Emily K. Luna ◽  
Jorge Ibarra Caballero ◽  
Ned A. Tisserat ◽  
Whitney S. Cranshaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Severity ◽  
Fusarium Solani ◽  
Black Walnut ◽  
Causal Agent ◽  
Geosmithia Morbida ◽  
Thousand Cankers Disease ◽  
Synergistic Response

Geosmithia morbida is well documented as the causal agent of thousand cankers disease of black walnut trees. However, it is not well understood how G. morbida strains differ in virulence and how their interactions with co-occurring pathogens contribute to disease severity. In this study, we systematically investigated virulence of genetically distinct G. morbida strains. Overall, we found varying degrees of virulence, although differences were not related to genetic groupings. Furthermore, the pathogen Fusarium solani is also commonly isolated from thousand canker-diseased trees. The degree of disease contribution from F. solani is unknown, along with interactions it may have with G. morbida. This research shows that coinoculation with these pathogens does not yield a synergistic response.

scholarly journals First Record of Thousand Cankers Disease Fungal Pathogen Geosmithia morbida and Walnut Twig Beetle Pityophthorus juglandis on Juglans regia in Europe

Plant Disease ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 98 (10) ◽  
pp. 1445-1445 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Montecchio ◽  
G. Fanchin ◽  
M. Simonato ◽  
M. Faccoli
Keyword(s):  
Bark Beetle ◽  
Juglans Regia ◽  
First Record ◽  
The United States ◽  
Black Walnut ◽  
Geosmithia Morbida ◽  
Pityophthorus Juglandis ◽  
Blast Analysis ◽  
Thousand Cankers Disease ◽  
Walnut Twig Beetle

Thousand cankers disease (TCD) is a disease complex caused by the fungus Geosmithia morbida Kolařik (Ascomycota, Hypocreales) and its vector Pityophthorus juglandis Blackman 1928 (Coleoptera, Scolytinae; walnut twig beetle, WTB). Since the mid-1990s, the disease was responsible for widespread mortality of many walnut species in the United States (4). After the first detection of TCD on black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) in Italy (3), an extensive survey was activated in cooperation with the Regional Phytosanitary Service. In May 2014, early TCD symptoms (4) were observed on English walnuts (J. regia L.). Canopies showed yellowing, wilting, and dieback of the youngest twigs, and a number of small brown cankers. Longitudinal and radial sections sampled through the cankers revealed gray to brown discoloration of both phloem and bark, and the presence of bark beetle galleries. Xylem discoloration was never observed. From one ~20-year-old European walnut growing in a garden neighboring an infected black walnut plantation (Santorso, Vicenza, 45°72′ N, 11°40′ E), a number of 1- to 2.5-cm-diameter twigs showing cankers up to 2 cm long surrounding bark beetle holes were collected. Whitish mycelium producing verticillate conidiophores was detected inside the insect galleries. From the necrotic margin of eight cankers previously surface-sterilized with 3% sodium hypochlorite, two 4-mm-wide chips per canker were placed on potato dextrose agar and incubated at 28 ± 1°C in the dark. Slow growing lobate, plane, yellowish-ocher colonies with hyaline mycelium appeared in 5 days. After subculturing to the same medium, growth features, mycelium, conidiophores, and conidia with morphological characteristics matching Kolarik's description of G. morbida (2) were observed. The ITS region of rDNA from the fungus strain LM14GM001-JR was amplified by using ITS1F and ITS4 primers and sequenced obtaining a 387-bp gene fragment. BLAST analysis showed 99% identity to the G. morbida strain U19 (GenBank Accession No. KF808301.1) for 384 bp, and 99% identity to the G. morbida strain LM13GM001-JN previously isolated from J. nigra in Italy (3). From the same samples, two emerging beetles were collected and identified as P. juglandis both morphologically (5) and genetically by DNA extraction following a standard salting out protocol. The barcode region of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase I was then amplified by using universal primers (1) and sequenced to obtain a 614-bp fragment of the gene. BLAST analysis showed 100% identity to P. juglandis based on comparison with KJ451422. A few other English walnuts with both the fungus and WTB were also found close to other infected black walnut plantations. To our knowledge, this is the first record of G. morbida and P. juglandis on J. regia in Europe, where the tree is cultivated for both fruit and timber production, as well as a traditional landscape tree. Voucher specimens are stored in the TeSAF herbarium and in the DAFNAE insect collection. References: (1) O. Folmer et al. Mol. Marine Biol. Biotechnol. 3:294, 1994. (2) M. Kolarik et al. Mycologia 103:325, 2011. (3) L. Montecchio and M. Faccoli. Plant Dis. 98:696, 2014. (4) S. J. Seybold et al. USDA Forest Service, NA-PR-02-10, 2013. (5) S. L. Wood. Great Basin Naturalist Memoirs 6:1123, 1982.

scholarly journals Effect of Geosmithia morbida Isolate and Temperature on Canker Development in Black Walnut

2012 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Freeland ◽  
Whitney Cranshaw ◽  
Ned Tisserat
Keyword(s):  
Black Walnut ◽  
Juglans Nigra ◽  
Geosmithia Morbida ◽  
Rdna Its ◽  
Pityophthorus Juglandis ◽  
Thousand Cankers Disease ◽  
One Year ◽  
Old Trees ◽  
Canker Development ◽  
Walnut Twig Beetle

Thousand cankers disease of black walnut (Juglans nigra) is the result of aggressive feeding by the walnut twig beetle (Pityophthorus juglandis) and extensive cankering around beetle galleries caused by the fungus Geosmithia morbida. We developed a consistent, reproducible inoculation technique to screen black walnut trees for their reaction to canker development following inoculation with G. morbida. Canker areas in one-year-old trees were not affected by the location on the stem that inoculations were made. Differences in aggressiveness of G. morbida isolates, representing different rDNA ITS haplotype groups, to black walnut were observed in some experiments. However, these differences were small and evidence indicates that a single, highly aggressive haplotype is not responsible for the current TCD epidemic. Cankers formed in black walnut at all temperatures tested, but they were consistently smaller at 32/20°C day/night temperatures compared to 25/20°C. Although G. morbida is thermotolerant, higher temperatures may not enhance canker development. Accepted for publication 1 May 2012. Published 18 June 2012.

scholarly journals De novo genome assembly of Geosmithia morbida, the causal agent of thousand cankers disease

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taruna Aggarwal ◽  
Anthony Westbrook ◽  
Kirk Broders ◽  
Keith Woeste ◽  
Matthew D MacManes
Keyword(s):  
Genome Assembly ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Draft Genome ◽  
Black Walnut ◽  
De Novo Genome Assembly ◽  
Evolutionary Mechanisms ◽  
Geosmithia Morbida ◽  
Thousand Cankers Disease ◽  
Walnut Twig Beetle

Geosmithia morbida is a filamentous ascomycete that causes Thousand Cankers Disease in the eastern black walnut tree. This pathogen is commonly found in the western U.S.; however, recently the disease was also detected in several eastern states where the black walnut lumber industry is concentrated. G. morbida is one of two known phytopathogens within the genus Geosmithia, and it is vectored into the host tree via the walnut twig beetle. We present the first de novo draft genome of G. morbida. It is 26.5 Mbp in length and contains less than 1% repetitive elements. The genome possesses an estimated 6,273 genes, 277 of which are predicted to encode proteins with unknown functions. Approximately 31.5% of the proteins in G. morbida are homologous to proteins involved in pathogenicity, and 5.6% of the proteins contain signal peptides that indicate these proteins are secreted. Several studies have investigated the evolution of pathogenicity in pathogens of agricultural crops; forest fungal pathogens are often neglected because research efforts are focused on food crops. G. morbida is one of the few tree phytopathogens to be sequenced, assembled and annotated. The first draft genome of G. morbida serves as a valuable tool for comprehending the underlying molecular and evolutionary mechanisms behind pathogenesis within the Geosmithia genus. Keywords: de novo genome assembly, pathogenesis, forest pathogen, black walnut, walnut twig beetle.

scholarly journals First Report of Geosmithia morbida in North Carolina: The Pathogen Involved in Thousand Cankers Disease of Black Walnut

Plant Disease ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 98 (7) ◽  
pp. 992-992 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Hadziabdic ◽  
M. Windham ◽  
R. Baird ◽  
L. Vito ◽  
Q. Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Black Walnut ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Universal Primers ◽  
Light Cycle ◽  
Dark Light ◽  
Potato Dextrose Broth ◽  
Geosmithia Morbida ◽  
Thousand Cankers Disease ◽  
Branch Dieback

In the past decade, black walnut (Juglans nigra) trees throughout western North America have suffered from widespread branch dieback and canopy loss, causing substantial tree mortality (2,3). The fungus, Geosmithia morbida, vectored by the walnut twig beetle (WTB), Pityophthorus juglandis, has been associated with this devastating disease known as Thousand Cankers Disease (TCD) (2,3). In August of 2012, branch samples from TCD symptomatic black walnut trees (5 to 10 cm in diameter and 15 to 30 cm long) were collected on the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park (GRSM) in Cataloochee Cove (35°37.023′ N, 83°07.351′ W) and near the Big Creek Campground (35°45.290′ N, 83°06.473′ W), in Haywood County. Five symptomatic trees near the Big Creek Campground and three from Cataloochee Cove displayed typical TCD signs including progressive crown thinning, branch flagging, and branch dieback; however, insect holes were not observed. Samples were double bagged in Ziploc plastic bags, sealed in a 19-liter plastic bucket, and transported to the University of Tennessee. Outer bark was removed from the samples and small, elliptical, necrotic cankers were observed. Wood chips (3 to 4 mm2) from cankers were excised and placed on 1/10 strength potato dextrose agar amended with 30 mg/liter streptomycin sulfate and 30 mg/liter chlortetracycline HCL and incubated on a 12-h dark/light cycle at 22°C for 5 to 7 days. Fungal isolates were tentatively identified as G. morbida by using culture morphology, and characteristics of conidiophores and conidia (2). The isolated fungus from the Cataloochee Cove location was grown in 1/10 strength potato dextrose broth at room temperature for 2 weeks. Isolates from Big Creek Campground were contaminated and were not analyzed further. Fungal colonies were tan to light yellow. Conidia were tan, subcylindrical, and catenulate. Conidiophores were multibranched, verticillate, and verrucose. To verify the morphological data, DNA was extracted from fungal mycelia using DNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA) according to the manufacturer's published protocol. Isolates from Cataloochee Cove were characterized using ITS1 and ITS4 universal primers (4). The putative G. morbida isolate (GenBank Accession No. KC461929) had ITS sequences that were 100% identical to the G. morbida type isolate CBS124663 (FN434082.1) (2). Additionally, fungal DNA from Cataloochee Cove was amplified using G. morbida-specific microsatellite loci (GS04, GS27, and GS36) (1). PCR products were analyzed with the QIAxcel Capillary Electrophoresis System (Qiagen) and were similar to those previously published (2). To date, all confirmed cases of TCD in the native range of black walnut have been in urban areas, along rural roadsides and/or fence rows. The report in North Carolina is the first finding of G. morbida, the causal agent of TCD, in a forest setting. References: (1) D. Hadziabdic et al. Conserv. Genet. Resources 4:287, 2012. (2) M. Kolarik et al. Mycologia 103:325, 2011. (3) N. Tisserat et al. Plant Health Progr. doi:10.1094/PHP-2011-0630-01-BR, 2011. (4) T. J. White et al. Page 315 in: PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications. M. A. Innis et al., eds. Academic Press, San Diego, CA, 1990.

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