Fungal pathogens as a potential threat to tropical acacias

Project ID:

FST/1995/110

Collaborating Countries:

India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand

Project Locations

Commissioned Organisation:

Center for International Forestry Research, Indonesia

Project Leader

Mr Christian Cossalter
Phone: 62 251 622622
Fax: 62 251 622100
Email:

Collaborating Institutions:

Kerala Forest Research Institute, India
Institut Pertanian Bogor, Indonesia
Forest Research Institute of Malaysia, Malaysia
Royal Forest Department, Thailand
CSIRO Division of Forestry and Forest Products, Australia

Project Budget:

$66,000

Project Duration:

01/01/1995 - 31/12/1995

ACIAR Research Program Manager

Dr John Turnbull

Project Background and Objectives

Tropical acacias are of considerable social and industrial importance for tropical reforestation and it is expected that about 2 million hectares will be established in Southeast Asia by the year 2000. Recent reports from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and northern Australia suggest that the future productivity of some important species may be constrained by fungal pathogens including leaf spots, shoot blights, stem cankers, heart rot and gall rusts. This study is undertaking a series of case studies of diseases of tropical acacias in native stands, trials and operational plantings in India, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Australia. Scientists are assessing the extent to which fungal pathogens limit tree growth and productivity and also the relative importance of individual fungal species.

Project Outcomes

Outcomes for this project are currently being prepared