Estimation of initial infection period in fig cuttings planted in fig orchard contaminated with Ceratocystis ficicola

Abstract

To estimate the initial infection period of Ceratocystis ficicola against fig cuttings via soilborne inoculum, one-year old cuttings were planted in a contaminated fig orchard. Two fig varieties, ‘Houraishi’ and ‘Masui Dauphine’ were employed in this study. Numbers of ‘Houraishi’ and ‘Masui Dauphine’ cuttings were 18 and 28, respectively. These cuttings were dissected at 69, 83, 97, 111, 125, 136, 150 and 171 days after planting, respectively. First infection of the fig plants was recognized at 97 days after planting, and then the infection rates of cuttings increased in both fig varieties. External symptoms, wilting and death, were not observed in the cuttings of either fig variety until three years after planting. These results indicate that infection of C. ficicola starts in the year of planting without any external symptoms. Soil applications of fungicide to prevent infection by C. ficicola should be carried out just after planting of fig cuttings.