Root Diseases of Pistachio Trees in New Mexico - NMSU's College ...

Root Diseasesof Pistachio Treesin New MexicoGuide H-647Cooperative Extension ServiceCollege of Agriculture andHome EconomicsN EW MEXU NICOSTAEI V E R SI T YTNatalie P. Goldberg, Extension Plant PathologistThere is good news and bad news about diseases ofpistachio trees. The good news is that relatively fewdiseases occur on trees grown in New Mexico. Thebad news is that the diseases that can occur are generallydeadly. Disease problems occurring on NewMexico pistachio trees are associated with soil-bornefungi—Verticillium dahliae, Phymatotrichopsis(= Phymatotrichum) omnivorum, and Phytophthoraspp.—which attack roots. Foliar diseases that occur inother pistachio-growing areas, such as California, arerarely a problem in New Mexico because of its dryclimate.This publication is scheduled to be updated and reissued 5/02.Verticillium wilt of pistachio is caused by the soilbornefungus, Verticillium dahliae. The fungus isfound worldwide in all types of soils, but is most devastatingin temperate regions of the world. V. dahliaehas a wide host range, infecting over 200 differentplant species including vegetables, flowers, fruitcrops, ornamentals, and agronomic crops. Some importanthosts in New Mexico include cotton, alfalfa,fruit and nut trees, chile, and many ornamentals.Fungal fruiting bodies (microsclerotia) formed inthe soil enable the fungus to multiply and persist formany years. Approximately 75 percent of themicrosclerotia are found in the top foot of soil, butmicro-sclerotia found up to 5 ft deep remain viableand are capable of infecting trees. The microsclerotiagerminate in the soil, and the resulting hyphae (fungalthreads) infect roots. Fungal hyphae move through theplant tissue to the xylem (water-conducting tissue).Once in the xylem the fungus blocks the movement ofwater and nutrients. The fungus can produce toxins,which may contribute to the discoloration seen in thevascular tissue.V. dahliae exists in different races or strains thatvary in virulence (aggressiveness or ability to causedisease), host range, and symptom expression. Symptomdevelopment in trees infected with a mild strainof the fungus is generally slow, and often only a portionof the tree will exhibit symptoms of marginal orone-sided chlorosis. Severe strains of the fungusmove rapidly within the tree, causing irregular chlorosis,necrosis, wilting, and sometimes defoliation. Withtime, infected trees become stunted and the vasculartissue becomes discolored. Whether the plant is infectedwith a mild or severe strain of the fungus, thefinal outcome is usually death. Trees generally diefrom the base of the tree or branch outward.Control of Verticillium wilt begins before the treesare planted. Site location is an important consideration.Old cotton and alfalfa fields should be avoided,VERTICILLIUM WILTDIAGNOSIS AT A GLANCE:VERTICILLIUM WILTCausal AgentSoil-borne fungus, Verticillium dahliaeSymptoms• Chlorosis or one-sided chlorosis (yellowing)• Wilt• Vascular discoloration• Defoliation (some Verticillium strains)• DeathMode of ActionThe fungus germinates in the soil and infectsroots. Fungal hyphae move through the plant tissueto the xylem vessels (water-conducting tissue).Once in the xylem the fungus blocks the movementof water and nutrients. The fungus can produce toxins,which may contribute to the discoloration seenin the vascular tissue.Control• Avoid planting trees in old cotton and alfalfafields.• Use Verticillium-tolerant rootstock: ‘UCB1’,‘Pioneer Gold II’• Soil solarization• Soil fumigation

as observations show that trees planted in these locationsare more likely to have problems associated withV. dahliae than trees planted in newly cultivated soils.Choice of rootstock is also important. When choosingrootstock for New Mexico orchards, several factorsshould be taken into consideration including rateof growth, cold hardiness, ease of budding, and toleranceto Verticillium. Other tree characteristics, such asnut yield, degree of shell splitting, blank nut production,and alternate bearing, are also influenced byrootstock. Early research on pistachio rootstocks indicatedthat trees produce and grow better on Pistaciaatlantica rootstock than on P. terebinthus. Additionallybud take on P. terebinthus tends to be more difficultin comparison with P. atlantica. However, P.terebinthus has more cold hardiness. Both of thesecommon rootstocks are susceptible to Verticilliumwilt. P. integerrima ‘Pioneer Gold’ rootstock exhibitsa high tolerance to this fungus. However, it possessesonly light tolerance to cold. A hybrid between P.integerrima and P. atlantica named ‘Pioneer Gold II’is somewhat more cold hardy, but also possesses toleranceto Verticillium. A vigorous, potentially coldhardy, Verticillium-tolerant hybrid has been developedat the University of California. This is a hybridbetween P. integerrima and P. lentiscus called‘UCB1’. All of the commonly used rootstocks are tolerantto root knot and lesion nematodes, though severeproblems associated with nematodes in pistachioorchards are rare.When trees become infected with Verticillium, it isdifficult to control the disease. There are no fungicidesthat can be applied to infected trees. In establishedorchards in growing regions with high summertemperatures, soil solarization may help to reduce thedisease’s severity. This procedure requires completetarping (using clear polyethylene) of the orchardfloor. Tarping applied after irrigation will raise thesoil temperature, reducing soil inoculum(microsclerotia and hyphae). When the tarp is left forover four weeks, Verticillium will be killed to a depthof about 4 ft. Soil solarization is expensive, but maybe worth the cost in mature orchards where manytrees are showing symptoms of disease.In replanting areas where trees have died as a resultof Verticillium wilt, the planting site should be fumigatedwith sodium methyldithiocarbamate (Vapam ® )before replanting. After fumigating, replant the sitewith a tree budded on Verticillium-tolerant root stock.PHYMATOTRICHUM ROOT ROTPhymatotrichum root rot, also known as Texas rootrot or cotton root rot, is caused by the soil-borne fungus,Phymatotrichopsis (= Phymatotrichum) omnivorum.There are no nice words to use when describingthis disease. This fungus has developed surefiresurvival techniques. Perhaps more important, there isno real control for the disease other than avoidingland infested with the fungus.This fungus is restricted to the southwestern UnitedStates and northern Mexico in alkaline soils with loworganic matter content. It is typically found in relativelysmall areas. However, it can spread betweenplants through root grafts. It persists indefinitely insoil. Much of the fungus is found in the top 2–6 ft ofsoil, but sclerotia (fungal survival structures) havebeen found over 12 ft deep. P. omnivorum has an extremelywide host range, infecting over 2,000 speciesof dicotyledonous (broadleafed) plants. Furthermore,the fungus is capable of surviving on roots of nativevegetation, such as mesquite, without causing any diseasesymptoms. This is an important disease of cotton,alfalfa, fruit trees, and many ornamentals.DIAGNOSIS AT A GLANCE:PHYMATOTRICHUM ROOT ROTCausal AgentSoil-borne fungus, Phymatotrichopsis omnivorumSymptoms• Slight yellowing and bronzing of leaves• Wilt• Reddish lesion on crown• Rapid death (leaves remain firmly attached)Signs• Fungal threads on roots (strands)• Spore mats around infected treesConditions for Disease• Alkaline soils• Soils low in organic matterControlAvoid infested locations.Guide H-647 • Page 2

Symptoms first appear during the summer when airand soil temperatures are high. The first evidence ofdisease is a slight yellowing of the leaves. Quickly theleaves turn to a bronze color and begin to wilt. Permanentwilting of the branches can occur very rapidly, aslittle as two weeks from the first expression of disease.The tree dies with the leaves remaining firmlyattached. In some cases the tree wilts so quickly thatthe leaves hardly change color, though they will becomedry and brittle. A reddish lesion around thecrown of the tree develops on trees killed by this fungus.The fungus also produces signs (development ofthe pathogen on the host) on or near infected trees. P.omnivorum produces fungal strands on the surface ofinfected roots. These strands are visible with a goodhand lens. When strands are observed under a microscope,cruciform (cross-shaped) hyphae unique to thisfungus can be seen. Another sign is the formation of awhite- to tan-colored spore mat on the surface of thesoil around infected plants. Spore mats develop duringperiods of high moisture. The spores in these matshave never been germinated, and are considered tohave no function in survival or infection of the pathogen.Therefore, spore mats do not spread disease, butare merely evidence of the presence of the fungus.Research to control this disease has been extensive,yet there are no good control methods available.There is no resistance or tolerance to this disease inpistachio rootstock. The best recommendation is toavoid land known to be infested with the fungus. Furthermore,orchards should not be planted in old cottonand alfalfa fields. If mesquite land is to be cleared fororchard planting, it may be worth the time and moneyto preplant the area in cotton. If the cotton is stressedfor water, disease symptoms are generally noticeablein the first year. If no symptoms develop on the cotton,you can be relatively sure the land is safe forgrowing pistachio trees.The ability of the fungus to survive deep in the soilhas eliminated the possibility of using fungicides andfumigants to control the disease. Fumigating infestedplanting holes (where trees have died) will usuallyonly delay the onset of disease.Certain cultural practices can alter the soil environmentso that it no longer favors P. omnivorum. Thesepractices can help reduce the effectiveness of thepathogen; however, the procedure must be followedevery year. Otherwise the soil environment returns toits typical state (high pH and low organic matter), andagain favors the fungus. The procedure consists ofloosening the soil (just beyond the drip line), creatinga comparatively shallow basin around infected trees.The area is then covered to a depth of 2 in. with manureor similar organic matter. Layered on top of theorganic matter is ammonium sulfate and sulfur, eachat a rate of 1 lb/10 ft 2 . Immediately flood the basinwith enough water to wet the soil to a depth of 3 ft.This high level of soil moisture must be maintainedfor several weeks. If trees are treated before permanentwilting, they may recover. Remember that thistreatment must be applied each year.Some success in reducing the effect of the diseasehas been achieved by growing and incorporating agreen manure cover crop over the orchard floor. Thishelps to stimulate vigorous rooting of the trees, enablingthe trees to better withstand disease pressure.Additionally, the incorporation of the cover crop intothe soil may help stimulate soil microflora that competewith P. omnivorum.Finally, chemical barriers have been used to preventthe spread of disease from one tree to another.Using sulfur in trenches 4–6 in. wide and 4–6 ft deeparound the outside of the drip line of infected treeshas prevented the spread of P. omnivorum for overseven years.CROWN ROTCrown rot, caused by the soil-borne fungus Phytophthoraspp., occurs only in areas with heavy, poorlydrained soils. This fungus is related to a group offungi known as water molds. When the soil remainssaturated for a long time, the fungus is able to infectsusceptible roots. Old trees are more susceptible todisease than young, vigorously growing trees.DIAGNOSIS AT A GLANCE:CROWN ROTCausal AgentSoil-borne fungus, Phytophthora spp.Symptoms• Rapid decline of tree• Chlorosis• Wilt• Death• No vascular discoloration (as in Verticillium wilt)Conditions for DiseaseWater logged, heavy soilControl• Maintain vigorous trees.• Soil fumigation.Guide H-647 • Page 3

This fungus causes crown and root rot, typicallyleading to the tree’s death. Crown rot is often misdiagnosedas Verticillium wilt, as the above-groundsymptoms are nearly identical. The disease is characterizedby a rapid decline in plant vigor. Infected treesmay turn yellow, wilt, and eventually drop theirleaves. This disease can be distinguished from Verticilliumwilt by examining the vascular tissue of infectedplants. If the tree is infected with Phytophthorathere will be no discoloration of the vascular tissue,which is typical of Verticillium infection.Vigorously growing trees appear to have a toleranceto Phytophthora. Thus, selecting vigorousrootstocks can help to reduce the incidence of the disease.Additionally, maintaining healthy trees withgood irrigation and fertilization practices is importantin managing the disease. In locations where trees havedied from this disease, soil fumigation can be effectivein reducing the fungus in the soil and is recommendedbefore replanting.ReferenceCrane, J.C. and J. Maranto. 1988. Pistachio Production.Cooperative Extension Service, Universityof California, Division of Agriculture and NaturalResources. Publication 2279. 15 p.Additional ReadingFor more information on pistachio production, seeGrowing Pistachios in New Mexico, NMSU CooperativeExtension Service Circular 532. This publicationcan be ordered from Dept. of Agricultural Communications–BulletinOffice / New Mexico State University/ Box 30003, MSC 3AI / Las Cruces, NM 88003 /(505) 646-2701, or download the publication from ourWorld Wide Web site at http://www.cahe.nmsu.edu/cahe/redtops/circ532.pdf.New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator. NMSU and the U.S. Department of Agriculturecooperating.May 1997 Las Cruces, NMGuide H-647 • Page 4