The emergence and trend of major exotic plantation forestry diseases in Uganda

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ABSTRACT Exotic plantation forestry tree species have been widely adopted in Uganda since their introduction. They are considered as species that are ideal for the provision of forest products such as timber and fuelwood due to their relatively short rotation periods and ease of adaptability to a range of climatic conditions. However, exotic plantation forestry tree species in Uganda continuously face the threat of emerging tree diseases that threaten the productivity and sustainability of the enterprise. The overall aim of this review was to give a snapshot of the recent trends and current status of plantation forest diseases in Uganda. A number of fungal and bacterial diseases that pose significant threats to the plantation forestry sector have been reported over the years in Uganda. They include; Cytospora canker, Ceratocystis wilt, Mycosphaerella leaf blotch, Powdery mildew and leaf spot, Quambalaria leaf and shoot blight, Teratosphaeria leaf disease and stem canker, Sphaeropsis sapinea canker and die-back, Armillaria root rot, Fusarium wilt and canker, Dothistroma needle blight, Botryosphaeria canker, Bacterial wilt and Bacterial blight and die-back. Most of the diseases are associated with non-native pathogenic species that were introduced into Uganda. However, limited information is available on the biology of the causal organisms, pathogenicity and susceptibility of commonly grown species as well as management and control. Thus an urgent need for more research about the biology and epidemiology of the diseases in Uganda is necessary for development of effective disease management and control strategies. (1.065Mb)

Author

Amanubo, Amos

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http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12281/4992

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