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Forest problems and human incidents: Gmelina arborea’s experience in Ecuador

Abstract:

Forest species are not immune to phytosanitary problems generated by pathogenic microorganisms, such is the case of Gmelina arborea Roxb. (melina) that is being affected by a “vascular wilting and stem rot” in Ecuador, its etiology being unknown, generating socio-economic inconveniences due to job losses. In this sense, the objective is to analyze the incidence of these forest problems in humans. The research was descriptive-experimental, the symptoms were described, the incidence (I%) and severity of the disease were evaluated in five categories, and phytopathogens associated with diseased trees were identified. Three plantations (2, 3.5 and 5 years old) in the Ecuadorian Humid Tropics were studied. Three plots of 500 m2 were delimited, where trees were dissected, whose tissues were analyzed by means of a humid chamber, carrot sandwiches, PDA culture medium. As results the diseased trees showed chlorosis, loss of turgor, dead growth buds, emission of epicormic shoots in the stem, and wilting. The I% was 24.1%, 7.1%, and 21.3% in plantations of 2; 3.5 and 5 years, respectively and two types of fungi were identified, which worries loggers. It is concluded to strengthen the interaction between academia and society as a strategic alliance for Ecuadorian forestry development.