Pathogenicity of three Phytophthora spp. causing late seedling rot of Quercus ilex ssp. ballota

Within a research project on quality of plants for forestation of agricultural lands, we studied the aetiology of a late seedling rot affecting holm oak (Quercus ilex ssp. ballota) in two forest nurseries in southern Spain. Major disease symptoms were foliage wilting and necrosis of feeder roots. Phytophthora cinnamomi, Phytophthora cryptogea and Phytophthora drechsleri were isolated from necrotic roots of holm oaks. Selected isolates of the three Phytophthora species were pathogenic to Quercus ilex ssp. ballota and Quercus suber seedlings in artificial inoculations. Soil flooding conditions were essential for infection and root rot development. There was no host specificity among the species, the isolates of P. cinnamomi being the most virulent in all inoculated plants. In these inoculations, Q. ilex ssp. ballota plants were more susceptible than those of Q. suber. This work is the first report of P. cinnamomi, P. drechsleri and P. cryptogea affecting Q. ilex ssp. ballota in forest nurseries.     

Factors influencing the parasitism of codling moth eggs by Trichogramma cacoeciae March. and T. principium Sug. et Sor. (Hymen. Trichogrammatidae)

Non-choice laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of host acceptance, previous rearing host, host age and the contact time between parasitoids and host on the efficacy of Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchal and T. principum Sug. et Sor. against the codling moth Cydia pomonella. The tendency of T. cacoeciae and T. principum females to attack the codling moth was similar to E. kuehniella, and it was not affected by the previous rearing host. T. cacoeciae showed a greater preference for codling moth eggs than T. principum. A high mean number of emerged F₁ progeny was observed when both parasitoids were sequentially reared on codling moths. Codling moth acceptance, the number of parasitized eggs and the number of emerged progeny were higher when younger codling moth eggs were offered. The tendency of female parasitoids to oviposit remained unchanged when the contact time with the host was prolonged. When the contact time was increased, the number of parasitized eggs and emerged offspring was higher. The results showed that the codling moth fertility (egg hatch) was reduced when younger eggs were offered and when the contact time with the parasitoids was increased. T. cacoeciae was more efficient in reducing codling moth fertility. The current study provided essential information necessary to increase the efficiency of T. cacoeciae and T. principum against the codling moth.     

Micropropagation of Anogeissus latifolia (Roxb. Ex DC.) Wall,ex Guill. & Perr.- A Tree of Fragile Ecosystems

Abstract

A micropropagation process was developed for Anogeissus latifolia-a tree of fragile ecosystems. Multiple shoots were regenerated from cotyledonary node and epicotyl explants on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium containing 0.1 mgl^-1 indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) + 1.5 mgl ^-l 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) + additives (25 mgl ^-l each of adenine sulphate, L-arginine, ascorbic-, citric acids and 1.0 mM L-asparagine) + 200 μM Fe-EDTA (ferric-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) salt. The shoots differentiated in vitro were subcultured and repeatedly transferred onto fresh medium but with 1.0 mgl^-1 of BAP to achieve 4-5 fold rate of shoot multiplication. After every 4th week of culture, from each culture bottle 8-10 shoots could be harvested for rooting. The shoots produced in culture were rooted in vitro on half strength MS medium with 1.0 mgl ^-l either of IBA (indolebutyric acid) or NAA (naphthaleneacetic acid). The shoots were pulse treated with combination (100 mgl ^-l each) of IBA and NOA (2-naphthoxy acetic acid) rooted ex vitro. The ex vitro root induction method is highly efficient and plantlets so generated could be acclimatized and pot transferred. The process developed can be used for large scale production of plants of A.     

Growth rates of Heterobasidion annosum s.s. and H. parviporum in functional sapwood of Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies

Growth rates of H. annosum s.s. and H. parviporum were investigated in the functional sapwood of young Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies plants as an indicator of the relative susceptibilities of the hosts to these pathogens. The stems of 520 five‐year‐old P. abies and 321 four‐year‐old P. sylvestris plants were inoculated and the extent of infection determined 16 weeks later. H. annosum s.s. grew further than H. parviporum in P. sylvestris sapwood, while in P. abies, no differences between the two Heterobasidion spp. were found. Both H. annosum s.s. and H. parviporum spread faster in the sapwood of P. abies than in P. sylvestris. There was high within‐host species variation in growth rates for both P. sylvestris and P. abies suggesting it may be possible to identify tree genotypes with lower susceptibility.     

Ecophysiological responses of three native herbs to phytotoxic potential of invasive Acacia melanoxylon R. Br.

Acacia melanoxylon R. Br. (Blackwood) is a native Australian species that has invaded woodlands and degraded natural habitats in the north western Iberian Peninsula (Galicia), Spain. Several phenolic (p-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, p-coumaric, syringic, protocatequic, ferulic acids) and flavonoids (catechin, luteolin, rutin, apigenin, and quercetin) were identified from methanol extracts of flowers and phyllodes of A. melanoxylon by HPLC. Flowers and phyllodes of A. melanoxylon were soaked separately in the water in a ratio of 1:1 (w/v) for 24 h to prepare aqueous extracts (100, 75, 50 and 25%) and distilled water was used as control. The seeds of three native plants, cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), common sorrel (Rumex acetosa) and a general test crop lettuce (Lactuca sativa) were grown in perlite culture and aqueous extracts of A. melanoxylon (flowers and phyllodes) were applied exogenously at various concentrations. A. melanoxylon flowers extract (100%) inhibited the shoot length of D. glomerata and L. perenne by 31 and 20% of the control, respectively. Leaf and root fresh weights of L. perenne, D. glomerata, and L. sativa were reduced after treatment with acacia flowers and phyllodes extract. Leaf relative water content of D. glomerata and L. perenne was reduced by acacia flowers and phyllodes extract at all concentrations. Both extracts reduced leaf osmotic potential in D. glomerata, L. perenne and L. sativa. Quantum efficiency of open PSII reaction centers (F_v/F_m) and quantum yield (ΦPSII) of photosystem II were decreased in L. perenne, D. glomerata; R. acetosa and L. sativa after treatment with acacia flowers/phyllodes extract at 100% concentration. Acacia flowers and phyllodes extract (100%) inhibited the qP level during all 6 days in D. glomerata, L. perenne, R. acetosa and L. sativa. A significant reduction in NPQ was observed during different days in all four plant species due to Acacia flowers and phyllodes extract (100%). The δ¹³C ratios were less negative in L. perenne, D. glomerata and L. sativa as compared to the control. A. melanoxylon flowers and phyllodes extract (100%) significantly reduced leaf protein contents in D. glomerata, L. perenne and in L. sativa.     

The culturable leaf mycobiome of Viscum album subsp. austriacum

In Poland's pine forests, mistletoe (Viscum album subsp. austriacum) abundance has increased over the past 20 years. This mistletoe infestation has decreased the growth and vigour of Scots pine trees. In this study, we surveyed the culturable fungi from healthy and diseased V. album subsp. austriacum leaves from two stands in Poland. In total, 63 distinct species were identified, 99.8% of which belonged to the phylum Ascomycota. The community compositions of fungi in mistletoe leaves were similar in healthy and diseased leaves as Alternaria alternata, Aureobasidium pullulans, Botryosphaeria visci, Fusarium paeoniae and Microsphaeropsis olivacea were consistently found in leaves of all symptom types. The most frequently isolated fungus from asymptomatic leaves was M. olivacea, followed by A. alternata, A. pullulans and Hypoxylon rubiginosum. In comparison, the most frequently isolated fungi from leaves with rusty-brown necrotic spots were (in decreasing order) M. olivacea, B. visci, F. paeoniae and A. alternata, while the most frequently isolated fungi from leaves with black or dark brown spots were M. olivacea, A. alternata, A. pullulans, Epicoccum layuense and F. paeoniae. This study was the first comprehensive report showing that certain fungal species may be pathogens of V. album subsp. austriacum in Poland. This study was also the first report of F. paeoniae, F. juglandicola, Diaporthe vacuae and Heterotruncatella spartii from V. album, and the first report of D. vacuae and H. spartii in Poland.     

A Summary of Literature References of Factors Affecting Moisture Content Determination with D.C. Resistance Measurements

The protective effect of ectomycorrhizae of Pinus patula Schlecht. et Cham against the root pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi was investigated. Three methods were employed to evaluate this effect. Firstly, extracts were prepared from the root systems of mycorrhizal plants and tested for antibiotic activity against P. cinnamomi. Secondly, fungal antagonism between two mycobionts Amanita muscaria and Boletus edulis, and the pathogen was tested for in vitro; and thirdly, in situ studies were conducted to determine the protective effect afforded under natural conditions. No fungal antagonism was observed in vitro, but significant protection was obtained in situ and when the pathogen was exposed to the extracts. The mechanism involved could thus probably be attributed to the production of antibiotic substances by the macrobiont and mycobiont, and the formation of a physical barrier, the Hartig-net and the fungal mantle.     

Biomass,nutrient and pigment content of beech (Fagus sylvatica) saplings infected with Phytophthora citricola,P. cambivora,P. pseudosyringae and P. undulata

Fagus sylvatica saplings were infected with Phytophthora citricola, Phytophthora cambivora, Phytophthora pseudosyringae and Phytophthora undulata to study the influence of these root pathogens on total belowground and aboveground biomass, on the nutrient distribution within plants, on the concentration of plastid pigments, including tocopherol and on components of the xanthophyll cycle. Phytophthora citricola and P. cambivora infection significantly reduced total biomass of beech when compared with control plants and finally most of these plants died at the end of the experiment. However, beech invaded by the other two Phytophthora spp. did not differ from control plants and none of them was killed. Fine root length as well as the number of root tips of all infected beeches were reduced between 30 and 50%. The excellent growth of beech infected with P. pseudosyringae and P. undulata when compared with control plants was correlated with a strong increase of important root efficiency parameters. Phytophthora citricola and P. cambivora caused a significant reduction in nitrogen concentration of leaves in comparison with control and other infected plants, whereas this nutrient was slightly increased in fine and coarse roots. Furthermore, the phosphorus and potassium concentrations in leaves were impaired after infection with P. citricola. However, foliar concentrations of Ca and Mg were not affected by the different Phytophthora spp., whereas fine and coarse roots were significantly enriched with Ca in beech infected with P. citricola or P. cambivora. The concentrations of α‐tocopherol and xanthophyll cycle pigments were increased in plants infected by P. citricola and P. cambivora, indicating that several reactive oxygen species might be formed in leaves during infection.     

Susceptibility of Ribes spp. to pine stem rusts in Finland

Susceptibility of Ribes spp. to three pine stem rusts, Cronartium ribicola, Cronartium flaccidum and Peridermium pini, was investigated by inoculations both in laboratory and in greenhouse conditions, and by observing sporulation on Ribes spp. leaves under natural and artificial inoculum in 16 experiments. Twenty‐seven Ribes spp. cultivars were inoculated in 2000–2004 using 41 sources of C. ribicola aeciospores from a wide geographic range, and six Pinus spp.; 51 sources of C. flaccidum and 11 sources of P. pini from Pinus sylvestris. The results were very similar both after artificial inoculations and observations under natural inoculum in repeated experiments over the years. Cronartium ribicola uredinia and telia developed frequently or moderately on nine Ribes nigrum cultivars but were not present on two cultivars. Sporulation developed on five Ribes rubrum cultivars but was absent on two cultivars. Three Ribes uva‐crispa cultivars were only weakly susceptible to C. ribicola, while all R. alpinum cultivars were resistant to the rust. The other Ribes spp. tested, Ribes niveum, Ribes aureum, Ribes odoratum, Ribes sp. × nigrolaria, Ribes glandulosum and Ribes × culverwellii Jostaberry, were all susceptible to C. ribicola. Cultivars of R. nigrum were more susceptible than those of any other species. No significant variation in virulence of the aeciospores was observed between and among Ribes hosts over the years. Cronartium flaccidum and Peridermium pini did not form any uredinia or telia on Ribes spp. in any of the experiments.     

干旱胁迫下沙地赤松等松科植物种子萌发特性

[目的]以北方干旱区常用的3种松科植物沙地赤松、樟子松和青海云杉为研究对象,分析其种子萌发特性及对干旱胁迫的响应。沙地赤松为辽宁省固沙研究所于2014年筛选审定的新品种,目前在辽宁省生长状况良好,尚未有过其抗旱能力的相关研究。青海共和是高寒沙区,将沙地赤松与青海省常见的两种松科植物青海云杉和樟子松进行对比,以期为沙地赤松在青海引种试种提供参考。[方法]采用不同浓度PEG-6000溶液模拟干旱胁迫的方法进行种子萌发试验,利用模糊隶属函数对干旱胁迫下3种松科植物的种子相对发芽率、相对胚根长、相对胚芽长、萌发胁迫指数、萌发抗旱指数和萌发活力指数等6项指标进行综合评价。[结果]低浓度的PEG-6000溶液对3种松科植物种子萌发和胚根生长发育均有促进作用;随着干旱胁迫程度的加剧,3种松科植物的发芽率、幼苗鲜质量、活力指数、萌发胁迫指数、萌发抗旱指数均呈先上升后下降的趋势;种子萌发期耐水分胁迫能力为沙地赤松樟子松青海云杉。[结论]沙地赤松比樟子松和青海云杉的抗旱性强,适宜在青海引种试种。     

Associations between Tomicus destruens and Leptographium spp. in Pinus pinea and P. pinaster stands in Tuscany,central Italy

The association between Tomicus destruens and fungi of the genus Leptographium was studied in Pinus pinea and P. pinaster forests in Tuscany, central Italy. Fungi were isolated from adult beetles and from pine tissues from infested trees. On average, Leptographium spp. were associated with 18% of beetles in breeding galleries, 35% of emergent brood beetles and 18% of beetles undergoing maturation feeding in pine twigs. The fungal species most frequently identified were Leptographium wingfieldii and L. lundbergii while L. guttulatum and L. serpens were also found.     

Assessment of the pathogenicity of marine Cladosporium spp. towards mangroves

Mangroves play an important role in coastal ecosystems. In this work, Cladosporium spp were isolated from a natural mangrove environment in Zhanjiang Bay, Guangdong Province, China. Ninety‐one isolates were obtained and identified as Cladosporium cladosporioides, C. colocasiae, C. oxysporum, C. perangustum, C. sphaerospermum, C. tenuissimum and C. uredinicola. Forty‐two isolates were selected and tested for pathogenicity towards mangroves. The results showed that pathogenic isolates were found on Avicennia marina, Kandelia candel and Rhizophora stylosa with prevalence of 93.40%, 83.52% and 7.41%, respectively. This indicated that A. marina and K. candel were more vulnerable to Cladosporium ssp. than R. stylosa. Among the seven species, C. colocasiae had the strongest pathogenic effect towards A. marina and K. candel with a prevalence of 100.00%. The rest of the seven species also showed pathogenic effects on the same plants. These results provided valuable insights into the effect of various pathogens on mangroves.     

Susceptibility of Pedicularis spp. to Cronartium ribicola and C. flaccidum in Finland

Aeciospores of Cronartium ribicola and C. flaccidum were collected from several locations in Finland and used to inoculate Pedicularis spp. and some known and suspected alternate hosts in 2008–2009. In all trials, C. ribicola formed uredinia and telia on leaves of Ribes nigrum. No uredinia or telia of C. ribicola formed on older leaves of Pedicularis spp. but both uredinia and telia were found on young leaves of P. palustris ssp. palustris. Cronartium flaccidum produced uredinia and/or telia on leaves of P. palustris ssp. palustris, P. lapponica, Vincetoxicum hirundinaria and Melampyrum sylvaticum. Neither rust infected P. sceptrum‐carolinum, Vaccinium myrtillus, Calluna vulgaris or Ledum palustre. Similar to rusts in Asia and North America, the results showed that European C. ribicola exhibit more variable host reactions and wider alternate host ranges than earlier described. Pedicularis palustris may play a role in the spread of Cronartium in natural forests.     

A comparison of diameter distribution models for Khaya ivorensis A.Chev. plantations in Brazil

The purpose of this study was to compare Beta, Gamma, Johnson's S_B and Weibull functions fitted by different methods for describing the horizontal structure of Khaya ivorensis (African mahogany) plantations in Brazil. The database comprised 128 plots from six plantations at varying ages. The function fits were compared using the Kolmogoroff–Smirnoff test, mean bias and mean absolute error for the number of trees and basal area per hectare per diameter class. Johnson's S_B outperformed the other functions, although all functions provided an adequate fit. The best methods were method of moments and maximum likelihood fitted using 25% of the minimum observed diameter as the location parameter for the Johnson's S_B function. The errors were greater in diameter classes with higher frequencies. Location and scale parameters were highly correlated with mean diameter and age for the Weibull and Johnson's S_B functions, respectively, which is convenient for diameter prediction. Gamma's scale parameter had medium correlation with age. Beta's parameters had low correlation with stand attributes assessed.     

Kinetics of cell formation and growth stresses in the secondary xylem of Swietenia mahagoni (L.) Jacq. and Khaya ivorensis A. Chev. (Meliaceae)

The kinetics of xylem formation in four-year-old plants of Swietenia mahagoni (L.) Jacq. and Khaya ivorensis A. Chev. were studied by means of high resolution laser measurements (accuracy: ±2 μm) in a spatial resolution of 18.7 to 94.1 μm and a temporal resolution of 1 to 60 s. The radial enlargement of the xylem cells was completed within 0.36 to 8.85 hours in Swietenia and within 0.52 to 12.03 hours in Khaya, while secondary wall formation and lignification lasted days to weeks. Cell enlargement of vessels and ray parenchyma was significantly faster than radial enlargement of fibres and axial parenchyma. The processes of formation of the secondary cell wall and the lignification were slower in fibres than in vessels and parenchyma cells. In Swietenia new secondary cell formation was induced in distinct growth periods almost simultaneously in the whole shoot, while in Khaya new cell formation was restricted to parts of the shoot. Growth stresses in the shoot were studied in terms of released strain. Higher growth stresses were observed in the shoot of Khaya compared to Swietenia. The results indicate that the higher growth stresses in the xylem of Khaya compared to Swietenia originate in the different kinetics of cell development of different cell types in combination with the heterogenous sequence of cell formation within the shoot. Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. W. Liese on the occasion of his 80th birthday.     

In vitro ectomycorrhizal formation of Pinus patula, P. pseudostrobus, P. oocarpa and P. elliotii grown in southern India

In vitro syntheses of ectomycorrhizas of Pinus patula, P. pseudostrobus, P. oocarpa and P. elliotii with Amanita muscaria, Laccaria fraterna, L. laccata, Pisolithus tinctorius, Rhizopogon luteolus, Scleroderma citrinum and Thelephora terrestris were attempted. Most of the fungi initiated mycorrhizal formation within 2 weeks after inoculation. Laccaria fraterna and S. citrinum formed mycorrhizas after 6 weeks of inoculation. Amanita muscaria failed to form mycorrhizas during the 12 week period of observation. The degree of colonization of different mycorrhizal fungi varied with different species of Pinus.     

Terpene response of Picea abies and Abies alba to infection with Heterobasidion s.l.

The monoterpene composition of Picea abies and Abies alba resin was analysed in relation to growth by Heterobasidion spp. Fifteen‐year‐old P. abies and A. alba trees were inoculated on branches with three species of Heterobasidion annosum s.l. After 4 months of incubation, each host was colonized to a significantly greater degree by the pathogen specific to that host (H. parviporum on P. abies, H. abietinum on A. alba) than by the other fungi. Analysis of the enantiomeric monoterpene profiles in the spruce and fir showed that the response in terms of the relative proportions of the monoterpene compounds in the resin differed between tree species. Following challenge with Heterobasidion spp., A. alba trees did not show changes in monoterpene composition in addition to those in the wounding response (increase in (−)‐α‐pinene and (−)‐camphene, and decrease in β‐phellandrene). In P.abies, (−)‐α‐pinene, (+)‐α‐pinene and δ‐3‐carene increased following Heterobasidion attack but not after wounding alone.     

Nectria macrospora (Wr.) Ouellette sp. nov. (=N. fuckeliana var. macrospora): Strains,Physiology and Pathogenicity,and Comparison with N. fuckeliana var. fuckeliana1

Several isolates fromg Canada and Europe of Nectria fuckeliana var. fuckeliana and of N. fuckeliana var. macrospora were compared physiologically, morphologically, and in their ability to cause cankers on Abies species. As a result, it is proposed to raise these varieties to species level, that is, Nectria fuckeliana and N. macrospora. Isolates of N. macrospora from Quebec were found to be much more virulent than the other isolates studied.     

The process of decline of an endangered tree species,Pinus armandii Franch. var.amamiana (Koidz.) Hatusima, on the southern slope of Mt. Hasa-dake in Yaku-shima Island

The process of decline of an endangered tree species,Pinus armandii var.amamiana, was monitored on the southern slope of Mt. Hasa-dake in Yaku-shima Island from 1994 to 1998. There are 163 trees ofP. armandii var.amamiana over 1.3 m in height. They are distributed on steep ridges and rocks with a thin soil layer mostly consisting of friable granite. During the monitoring period, 21 trees ofP. armandii var.amamiana died and the mortality rate was 12.9%. Dead trees were categorized into three types: standing, uprooted and landslide. The uprooted- and landslide-typed dead trees were found only after a severe typhoon struck Yaku-shima Island. This suggests that the combination of fragile site conditions and severe typhoons play an important role in the process of decline ofP. armandii var.amamiana. The standing-typed dead trees were presumed to have been killed by pine wilt disease, accounting for 71.4% of the dead trees. However,Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, the cause of pine wilt disease, was not detected from any of the wood chips or branch samples from the standing-typed dead trees ofP. armandii var.amamiana. This might indicate that some factor(s) other than pine wilt disease could be responsible for the standing-typed death ofP. armandii var.amamiana in natural habitats. A part of this paper was presented at the 109th Meeting of the Japanese Forestry Society.     

Antagonismusin vitro vonBacillus spp. gegenüberRhizoctonia solani undPythium spp.

Zusammenfassung Es konnten 132Bacillus-Stämme isoliert und gegenüber7 Rhizoctonia-solani- und 6Pythium-Stämmen auf Antagonismusin vitro untersucht werden. Die gefundenen Antagonisten hemmten die Pilzisolate unterschiedlich stark, so daß Gemische von Antagonisten für die Praxis zu empfehlen sind.

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Antagonismin vitro ofBacillus spp. againstRhizoctonia solani andPythium spp.

There were 132Bacillus-strains isolated and tested for antagonism against 7 strains ofRhizoctonia solani and 6 strains ofPythium spp. The isolated antagonists didn't show a uniform effect against the tested strains ofRhizoctonia solani andPythium spp. For an application in practice it will be better to use a mixture of antagonists.

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Mit 4 Abbildungen und einer Tabelle