Important pests and diseases of plantation grown Pinus and Eucalyptus in Colombia and their control

Abstract

Colombia covers an area of approximately 114 million hectares (ha) of which the potential forestly land has been estimated at 60.7 million ha, about 53% of the total area. Only 54 million ha are considered as natural forest, leaving approximately 29 million ha to be used for livestock and agriculture. In order to provide an alternative source of timber, Colombian groups have planted approximately 327 000 ha to different species of Pinus, Eucalyptus and native species. This clearly represents only a small proportion of the total area that might be used for forestry, which is set to grow in the future. In general, trees established in plantations have been grown as monocultures that allow for substantial productivity per management unit. But this is also a homogeneous genetic resource that is highly susceptible to damage caused by insect pests and diseases. It is therefore, surprising that relatively little work has been conducted on pests and pathogens negatively affecting plantation foresty in Colombia. In this regard, the studies presented in this thesis present the first comprehensive treatment of the topic for the country. It is consequently hoped that these will form a basis for the future management and sustainability of forestry in Colombia. In the first Chapter of this thesis, I provide a historical background and the current pest and disease situation for the forestry sector in Colombia. This includes an overview of the main pest and diseases affecting commercial nonnative trees, especially species of Pinus and Eucalyptus. A wide range of sites occurring in Colombia were considered and the document also includes the impact of different climatic conditions on the incidence and management of the various pests and diseases treated. Some of the most important defoliators in Colombia reside in the order Phasmatodea and one of these, Litosermyle ocanae, was treated in studies presented in chapter two. The overall aim was to contribute basic knowledge of L. ocanae including an understanding of the biology, egg population dynamics, and potential biological control assessments based on early detection of the insect. vi Chapter three includes the discovery of one of the members of the Geometridae that causes serious damage due to defoliation of Pinus and Eucalyptus plantations. This pest, known as Chrysomima semiluteraria, has been known in Colombia for many years and this study included a comprehensive evaluation of its biology and field monitoring contributing to an Integrated Pest Management strategy for it. The insect was studied under field and laboratory conditions and a special emphasis was placed on its biological control using the egg parasitoid Telenomus alsophilae. Pinus plantations in Colombia have been affected by numerous pests, including recently, the adelgid Pineus sp. To establish management strategies to assist commercial forestry operations, the life cycle of this insect and the susceptibility of different Pinus species were determined in Chapter four. In addition, the possible role of a Ceraeochrysa sp. as a biological control agent was investigated. In chapter five, Fusarium circinatum is recorded for the first time on Pinus spp. in Colombia. The discovery of this fungus, known to cause the disease Pitch Canker has had an important impact on forestry, especially with regard to management strategies aimed at reducing its impact. Studies in this chapter included those to evaluate the susceptibility of families and provenances of Pinus spp., which are currently used in forestry planting programs in Colombia. The first emergence of the foliage pathogen Dothistroma septosporum as an important constraint to pine forestry in Colombia is treated in chapter six. This fungus is a serious pathogen of many species of Pinus around the world. It was, however, not recognised as a serious threat to forestry in Colombia until it emerged as a serious source of damage to Pinus tecunumanii. In this chapter, the aim was firstly to confirm the identity of the pathogen based on DNA sequence data. Subsequently, the host range and distribution of the pathogen was established in different Colombian forestry areas. The impact of the disease and the susceptibility of different provenances of P. tecunumanii was also assessed. In chapter seven, the main objective was to described the susceptibility of E. grandis clones to a new species of Ceratocystis and to identify clones resistant to it. The fungus was described as Ceratocystis neglecta and management strategies are suggested for it. This thesis includes two Appendices treating new reports of insect pests and an important Eucalyptus pathogen. In Appendix 1, I report on the importance of three different pest insects. Appendix 2 includes a description of a new disease, as well as the potential risks that this disease poses for the Colombian forestry sector.