PESTS AND DISEASES OF FORESTRY IN NEW ZEALAND
Dothistroma needle-blight
<<Back to needle diseases of radiata pine in New Zealand
Key to identifying needle diseases | Red needle cast | Cyclaneusma | Physiological needle blight | Dothistroma
In this page: Diagnostic features | Disease location | Articles and reports
Primary diagnostic features of Dothistroma needle blight
- Needles turn red-brown
- There is a clear distinction between the red zone and the remainder of the needle
- The lower half of the crown is usually affected, in severe cases the entire crown can turn red-brown
- Needles remain rigid, and are not easily removed from branch
- Symptoms start on the new flush of needles about December or January and disease development continues through to winter when it slows but doesn’t stop
- The needles remain on the tree after they die
- Peak disease occurs about September
- Affects pines from planting age up to about 15 years old

Close up of needles showing brick red bands and black fruiting bodies within the bands where spores are released

Disease is most severe on the parts of the tree nearest the ground and infection moves up the tree from there. Repeated defoliation will result in lower branches dying. Infection within a stand is uniform, with some tree to tree variation.

Heavily infected braches. Often Dothistroma displays a “halo” effect because the ends of needles are affected more than the inner parts which stay mainly green.

Note rust red foliage

Typical infection on the distal part of the needles

Red bands clearly visible (some are marked by black arrow). Needles on the left of the photo are showing advanced symptoms and have turned pale brown, but the red bands are still obvious.
Disease location

Articles and reports
Forest Biosecurity Dothistroma Research Programme
Needle blight caused by Dothistroma pini
Forest Research Bulletin 220, 2001
DOTHISTROMA NEEDLE BLIGHT
Forest Pathology in New Zealand No. 5
ASSESSMENT AND CONTROL OF DOTHISTROMA NEEDLE-BLIGHT
Forest Research bulletin No. 229 (pdf, 244.94 kB)
DOTHISTROMIN TOXIC IN A VIRULENCE FACTOR IN DOTHISTROMA NEEDLE BLIGHT OF PINES
Forest Health News 250, September 2014
THE ECONOMIC COST OF DOTHISTROMA NEEDLE BLIGHT TO THE NEW ZEALAND FOREST INDUSTRY
From Forest Health News 215, May 2011
DOTHISTROMA CONTROL COMMITTEE
From Forest Health News 215, May 2011
Dothistroma Control Committee
Forest Health News 206, June 2010
HOW DO EPIDEMICS OF FUNGAL FOREST PATHOGENS OCCUR?
From Biosecurity 89, February 2009
IMPROVED AND CHEAPER CONTROL OF DOTHISTROMA NEEDLE BLIGHT
Forest Health News No. 175, July 2007
DOTHISTROMA NEEDLE BLIGHT IN BRITISH COLUMBIA AND AN INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH ALLIANCE
Forest health News No. 167, October 2006
DOTHISTROMA CONTROL
Forest Health News 159, February 2006
SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT OF DOTHISTROMA PINI
Forest Health News 143, August 2004
Dothistroma prediction model
FHRC Project: 2001-08 (pdf 198.83 kB) 2003
DOTHISTROMA ON THE INCREASE
Forest Health News 124, November 2002



