Phellinus noxius
System : Terrestrial
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Fungi
Eumycota
Hymenomycetidae
Aphyllophorales
Hymenochaetaceae
- General
- Distribution
- Impact
- Management
- Bibliography
- Contact
Common name
limu mea (Samoan, Samoan Archipelago), brown root rot (English, worldwide)
Synonym
Fomes noxius , Corner, 1932
Similar species
Phellinus lamaensis
Summary
Root and crown rot caused by Phellinus noxius is pantropical in distribution. Also known as brown root rot disease, it is present in native forests but most often noticed in disturbed areas. It has a broad host range and causes major losses in timber and hardwood plantations, agroforests and landscapes. The fungus forms an infection centre and spreads from tree to tree by root contact. It can exist on decaying roots in the soil for more than 10 years.
Species Description
A thick, dark brown to black crust forming around infected roots and lower stems is diagnostic for brown root rot disease. Decayed wood is white and reddish-brown to black strands are usually seen near the surface. Conks occasionally grow from the crust, are brown to black on the upper surface and gray-brown on the lower, or spore-forming surface.
\r\nThe mycelial crust that forms around infected roots and lower stems is diagnostic for P. noxius. Mycelium is present between the bark and sapwood. Decayed wood is white, soft and crumbly, laced with reddish strands of hyphae that turn black with age. Fruiting bodies may grow from the crust and are effused, effused-reflexed, or resupinate. They are brown to black and rough on the sterile surface, gray to gray-brown on the fertile surface (Brooks, 2002b).
Lifecycle Stages
The main vegetative stage of P. noxius is a dikaryotic mycelium. Sexual spores are produced on specialized cells called basidia and are wind dispersed. The basidiospores germinate to form a homokaryotic mycelium which fuses with a compatible homokaryotic mycelium to form the dikaryotic stage (Adaskaveg and Ogawa, 1990).
Uses
P. noxius and other wood decay fungi play an important role in the forest ecosystem as primary decomposers.
Habitat Description
The disease may be found in open places in the primary forest canopy, including areas disturbed by storms, landslides, etc. Most often it is encountered in secondary forests, on land cleared for hardwood plantations, agroforestry, or human habitation. It is less often found in wet, poorly drained soils (Brooks, 2002a).
Reproduction
Sexual reproduction by basidiospores, asexual by fragmentation of mycelium and possibly by arthroconidia (Chang, 1996).
Nutrition
P. noxius is able to metabolize lignin as well as the complex polysaccharides of wood (Adaskaveg and Ogawa, 1990).
Pathway
Dispersion is possible through transport of infested soil.
Principal source: Farr, D.F., Bills, G.F., Chamuris, G.P., and Rossman, A.Y. 1989. Fungi on plants and plant products in the United States. APS Press, USA.
\r\nHawksworth, D.L, Kirk, P.M., Sutton, B.C., and Pegler, D.N. Ainsworth and Bisby's Dictionary of the Fungi, 8th ed. CAB International, UK.
\r\n Brooks, F.E. 2002a. Brown root rot disease in American Samoa's tropical rain forests. Pacific Science 56: 377-387.
\r\nBrooks, F.E. 2002b. Brown root rot. The Plant Health Instructor. DOI: 10.1094/PHI-1-2002-0923-01.
\r\nPegler, D.N. and Waterston, J.M. 1968. Phellinus noxius: C.M.I. Descriptions of pathogenic fungi and bacteria, No. 195. C.M.I., UK.
\r\nBolland, L. 1984. Phellinus noxius: cause of a significant root-rot in Queensland hoop pine plantations. Australian Forestry 47: 2-10.
\r\nChang, T.T. 1996. Survival of Phellinus noxius in soil and in the roots of dead host plants. Phytopathology 86: 272-276.
\r\nAdaskaveg, J.E., and Ogawa, J.M. 1990. Wood decay pathology of fruit and nut trees in California. Plant Disease 74: 341-352.
Compiler: Fred E. Brooks, Community and Natural Resources, American Samoa Community College & IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG)
Review: Fred E. Brooks, Community and Natural Resources, American Samoa Community College
Publication date: 2006-11-28
Recommended citation: Global Invasive Species Database (2024) Species profile: Phellinus noxius. Downloaded from http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/speciesname/Phellinus+noxius on 23-04-2024.
General Impacts
Brown root rot is reported as a disease of forest trees in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. It is usually cited, however, for its damage to forest and hardwood plantations, fruit orchards, and landscapes. Mahogany, rubber, hoop pine, and cocoa plantings have been seriously affected. Plantations and orchards cannot be replanted for many years due to the longevity of P. noxius in the soil and its broad host range (Brooks, 2002a).
Management Info
Push-heap-and-burn clearing was used in hoop pine plantations in Queensland (Bolland, 1984) to remove infected stumps and some roots. However, remaining diseased roots are an inoculum source until all fungal mycelium is dead. Planting grasses with deep, fibrous root systems may speed up root decomposition. Flooding fields for more than one month may eliminate the fungus (Chang, 1996). When replanting infested areas, space trees as far apart as practical. Rogue out plants with symptoms of yellowing, wilting, or leaf drop as soon as possible.
