First Report of Bronze Leaf Disease on Poplar in Alberta, Canada and Sequence of Apioplagiostoma populi

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Editor-in-Chief: R. Michael Davis
Published by The American Phytopathological Society

L. M. Kawchuk, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 4B1, Canada; R. J. Howard, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Crop Diversification Centre South, Brooks, AB T1R 1E6, Canada; M. L. Kalischuk, Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman 99164; P. R. Northover, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Crop Protection Laboratory, Regina, SK S4N 6P6, Canada; M. Desjardins, Manitoba Crop Diagnostic Centre, Winnipeg, MB R3T 5S6, Canada; and R. C. J. Spencer, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Ag-Info Centre, Stettler, AB, T0C 2L0, Canada

Poplar (Populus spp.) is an important ornamental, windbreak, and pulp and wood product tree in Alberta and across western Canada because of its rapid growth, architecture, and hardiness. It is also a major component of native tree stands in the parkland area of the Canadian Prairies. Until recently in North America, infections of Apioplagiostoma populi (Cash & A.M. Waterman) Barr have only been documented in central Canada and the eastern and midwestern United States. Symptoms resembling bronze leaf disease (3) were observed in Alberta as early as 2003 and have been seen each subsequent year on an increasing number of Populus × canescens Smith, P. tremula L., and P. tremuloides Michx. trees from urban areas, shelterbelts, and nurseries.

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