Pseudophaeolus baudonii (Polyporus baudonii) is found only in Africa and occurs on many woody plants including indigenous and non-native trees. In South Africa, the disease caused by this fungus is known only from Zululand and all indications are that it is restricted to warm areas. In Zululand, P. baudonii is found in a small number of infection centres in pine and eucalypt plantations (Wingfield and Knox-Davies 1980). Pseudophaeolus baudonii moves from one infected tree to adjacent trees by root contacts and the symptoms of the resulting root disease are similar to those of Armillaria root rot.
Root disease caused by P. baudonii can be distinguished from other root diseases by the presence of white to yellow mycelial fans under the bark at the base of infected trees. The pathogen also produces large yellow sporophores that develop from infected roots near the base of infected trees in spring.
Disease name: |
Pseudophaeolus root rot |
|
Causal agents: |
Pseudophaeolus baudonii | |
| Trees affected: | Eucalypts |
|
Tree part |
Roots | |
| Impact: | Tree death |
|
Symptoms: |
Root death, sometimes with presence of yellow fungal growth on roots. Distinct, fleshy yellow fruiting bodies (up to 30cm) may be present on roots of dead trees |
