Pathogens of the Wollemi Pine, Wollemia nobilis

Cuttings of the Wollemi Pine, Wollemia nobilis, were inoculated with Phytophthora cinnamomi, Botryosphaeria sp., Rhizoctonia sp., Fusarium oxysporum and F. solani. II cinnamomi and the Botryosphaeria sp. were pathogenic causing plant death over a period of up to 5 weeks. None of the other fungi caused significant disease although two out of nine plants inoculated with F. oxysporum died during the experimental period. The results confirm the necessity to maintain strict hygiene and entry controls on the site where this extremely rare plant is found.