Pitch canker, a potential threat to Pinus radiata plantations in Chile?

Abstract

Fusarium circinatum is the fungus that causes the disease “canker” (pitch canker), which affects many species of conifers. This review describes the state of the art of F. circinatum worldwide and the current situation in Chile, covering the history of the pathogen and the disease. In Chile, the pathogen was detected in Pinus radiata hedges in late 2001, being present today in 39 of 196 nurseries, located between the regions of O’Higgins and Los Ríos. After 14 years of the detection of F. circinatum, the pathogen has not attacked commercial plantations of P. radiata. Measures for integrated disease management, where genetic resistance constitutes the main strategy in a scenario in which pitch canker could appear in commercial plantations of P. radiata in Chile.