Abstract
Since 1986 several isolated stands of chestnut (Castanea sativa) located north of the Swiss Alps have been infected with the chestnut blight fungus (Cryphonectria parasitica). At all sites (1–3), the diversity of the vegetative compatibility types was low. To control the disease, the hypovirus CHV1 was introduced at seventeen sites in five cantons. In total, 571 cankers were treated with local C. parasitica isolates containing CHV1. Re-inspection of the cankers one to two years after treatment demonstrated that the percentage of active cankers was significantly reduced in three cantons. Re-isolations of C. parasitica showed that the hypovirus persisted in 33% to 75% of the treated cankers and was disseminated to new cankers at a low rate. The difficulties and the potential of hypovirus treatment of small chestnut stands are discussed.
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