Germplasm health and disease indexing with particular reference to forest trees in tropical countries
Abstract
This paper reviews firstly, the dissemination of phytopathogenic organisms either on, in, or together with, various forms of forest tree germplasm. It concludes that relatively few dangerous pathogens are transmitted by tree germplasm in the form of cleaned seed, pollen, or tissue cultures, but that many are disseminated by vegetative tissues, such as cuttings and scions. Secondly, it reviews traditional and modem procedures for the detection and quantification of phytopathogenic organisms which form the basis of disease indexing. Lastly, the paper contains a brief summary of seed health testing and plant quarantine in relation to transfers of tree germplasm and concludes that rapid, cheap screening and diagnostic techniques are needed to ensure that the currently increasing transfers of germplasm are securely achieved.
Citation
Commonwealth Forestry Review (1994) 73 28-34
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