Molecular identification of phytopathogenic fungi of forest-forming species in the Central Black Soil Region: English oak (Quercus robur L.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)

Abstract

The classical assessment method of trees infestation by phytopathogenic fungi is the collection of infected plant specimens and their morphological description. However, this method captures pathogenic fungi by the presence of fruiting bodies, which are not formed neither at the beginning of infection nor annually. This makes difficult the early pathogen detection. Molecular methods make it possible to accurately determine the genus (and in some cases - the species) of the fungus that infects the plant, even in the early stages of invasion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the application of molecular analysis methods on phytopathogenic fungi of Pinus sylvestris L. and Quercus robur L. for monitoring the pathogen contamination of tree plantations of natural and urban systems in the Central European part of Russia. We isolated eukaryotic microorganisms from infected leaves and wood of P. sylvestris L. and Q. robur L. and performed DNA barcoding of these microorganisms. Fusarium sp., Hyphodontia pallidula, and Gibellulopis nigrescens were identified in P. sylvestris. During the molecular identification of eukaryotic microorganisms isolated from Q. robur we found that in 90 % of the cases the fungus Rhizopus oryzae was detected, in 10% of the cases - Sordaria sp. In this paper, we discuss the possibility of identification of plant pathogens by classical methods in combination with molecular methods.