First report of Fusarium circinatum in Pakistan
In Asia, Fusarium circinatum (EPPO A2 List), the causal agent of pitch canker of pine had only been reported from the north-eastern part of the continent (Japan and South Korea). It was recently reported from South Asia, in Pakistan.
In spring 2023, symptoms of a serious disease were observed on mature blue pines (Pinus wallichiana) forests in Kumrat Valley, Pakistan. Symptomatic trees were brown and wilted, with cankers on the trunk. Surveys were conducted in July 2023 to identify the causal agent. Morphological tests identified the pathogen as Fusarium circinatum. Pathogenicity was confirmed by tests on seedlings of P. wallichiana and P. roxburghii.
This is the first report of F. circinatum on P. wallichiana and P. roxburghii.
Sources
Baloch M and ZS Sanam (2025) First report of Fusarium circinatum associated with declining Pinus wallichiana forests in Kumrat Valley, Dir Kohistan Division. Pakistan Journal of Forestry 74, 2, 85-91. https://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.PJF/2024/74.2.85.91