LAUSR

Geosmithia morbida is well documented as the causal agent of thousand cankers disease of black walnut trees. However, it is not well understood how G. morbida strains differ in virulence and how their interactions with co-occurring pathogens contribute to disease severity. In this study, we systematically investigated virulence of genetically distinct G. morbida strains. Overall, we found varying degrees of virulence, although differences were not related to genetic groupings. Furthermore, the pathogen Fusarium solani is also commonly isolated from thousand canker-diseased trees. The degree of disease contribution from F. solani is unknown, along with interactions it may have with G. morbida. This research shows that coinoculation with these pathogens does not yield a synergistic response.