PJB-2010-385
NEW SPREAD OF DWARF MISTLETOE (ARCEUTHOBIUM OXYCEDRI) IN JUNIPER FORESTS, ZIARAT, BALOCHISTAN, PAKISTAN
ATTA MOHAMMAD SARANGZAI1*, NASRULLAH KHAN2 MUHAMMAD WAHAB2 AND ASMATULLAH KAKAR1
Abstract
Juniperus excelsa (DC.) M. Bieb. (Cupressaceae) is long-lived tree that provides many benefits to regional ecosystems and local economies of surrounding communities. However, relatively little is known about the insects, diseases and other factors that affect the health and productivity of Juniper forests in Ziarat district of Balochistan Province, Pakistan. In this study the incidence of wide spread threat to J. excelsa by obligate parasite Arceuthobium oxycedri (DC.) M. Bieb (Viscaceae) is reported. This disease has been recently discovered in four new locations in Ziarat forest. In the infested regions of Salam Valley, trees were severely infected, the majority having a DMR (Dwarf Mistletoe Rating) of 6. In contrast, severity of infection in the Ziarat valley was light, the majority having a DMR of 1. In the infested portions of Salik Sakhobi, infection was moderate. 50% of the infected trees were severely infected (DMR 6) and an equal percentage were less infected (DMR 1 or 2). The most effected area was Narai Valley that contained the most severely infected trees. In this area DMR of infected trees were high (4-6). It is therefore concluded that the infection was recent because we did not observe trees in the sampling area that had been completely killed by A. oxycedri. The spread by wind, birds and small mammals is the most likely vector of rapid spread of this parasite. A. oxycedri infestation in the newly infected areas appeared to be the extensions of the main area of infestation in Chasnak and Sasnamana Valleys.
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