Detection, dispersal and global distribution of Ceratocystis species on Eucalyptus

Abstract

In this thesis, Detection, dispersal, and global distribution of Ceratocystis species on Eucalyptus, the candidate investigated the species boundaries and transmission mechanisms of two economically important fungal pathogens. Utilizing a dataset of 1174 isolates collected from 11 countries and 8 plant hosts, population genetics, phylogenetic analysis, and morphological comparisons were employed to confirm that Ceratocystis manginecans and C. eucalypticola are distinct species, resolving long-standing taxonomic confusion. Hybridization events between these species were also identified clarifying ambiguity in the literature. The candidate developed a cutting-edge qPCR-based HRMA diagnostic tool enabling rapid species identification of these fungal pathogens directly from infected plant material and fungal cultures. This tool was successfully applied to reveal key dispersal mechanisms, including insect-mediated and airborne transmission. These findings offer valuable insights into pathogen detection, dispersal, and species boundaries, providing crucial tools for effectively managing the spread of these economically significant pathogens within the global forestry industry.