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fie iote rm us and Western Cape and this was the first outbreak of this disease in South Africa. The Cape flora in this area includes native coniferous species of P. radiata trees in the Western Cape and this was the first report of pitch canker in South Africa (Coutinho et al., 2007). These 5 g Agarose bacteriological powder [Merck, Biolab Diagnostics (Pty) Ltd.], 1 l distilled water) for 15 days. Spores were washed from the cultures with 15 % glycerol, excess mycelium was filtered through sterile cheese cloth, and the concentration Available online at www.sciencedirect.com ny x SAJB-00386; No of Pages 3 ARTICLE IN PRESSplantations are situated in close proximity to the unique Cape flora, which includes native conifers such as Podocarpus andproducts (Anonymous, 2005), and is based on exotic plantations of pines and eucalypts. The Pinus species most extensively planted are Pinus patula (Schl. et Cham.) and P. elliottii (Chapm.). P. radiata (D. Don.) is only grown in the Wester