Susceptibility of Several Northeastern Conifers to Fusarium circinatum and Strategies for Biocontrol

Jorge Martín-García,Mercedes Fernández,Julio Diez,Marius Paraschiv,Juan Flores-Pacheco,Danut Chira

doi:10.3390/f8090318

Abstract

Fusarium circinatum, the causal of pine pitch canker disease (PPC), is now considered among the most important pathogens of Pinaceae in the world. Although in Europe PPC is only established in the Iberian Peninsula, the potential endangered areas cover over 10 million hectares under the current host distribution and climatic conditions. It is therefore a priority to test the susceptibility of those species and their provenances, within Central and Northern Europe and find biological control agents (BCAs) against the disease. In this study, the susceptibility of Pinus sylvestris, P. mugo and Picea abies Romanian provenances to F. circinatum was tested using three inoculum doses. In parallel, the potential use of Trichoderma atroviride and Trichoderma viride as BCAs against F. circinatum was also tested. This study has demonstrated, for the first time, the susceptibility of P. mugo to F. circinatum. Likewise, the susceptibility of P. abies was also confirmed. The fact that the Romanian provenance of P. sylvestris has not been susceptible to F. circinatum suggests genetic resistance as a potential tool to manage the disease. This, together with the apparent effectiveness of Trichoderma species as BCAs, seems to indicate that an integrated management of the disease might be feasible.

Highlights

Fusarium circinatum Nirenberg & O’Donnell, which causes pine pitch canker disease (PPC), is considered among the most important pathogens of Pinaceae in the world, devastating Pinus seedlings and mature trees in many countries globally [1,2]
Two biological control agents were used in this study, in particular, Trichoderma atroviride (HP136; GenBank Accession number KT323338) and T. viride
P. mugo seedlings, and the results demonstrate the susceptibility of mugo pine to PPC

Summary

Introduction

Fusarium circinatum Nirenberg & O’Donnell (teleomorph = Gibberella circinata), which causes pine pitch canker disease (PPC), is considered among the most important pathogens of Pinaceae in the world, devastating Pinus seedlings and mature trees in many countries globally [1,2]. In Europe, the first report was in Spain [13,14], where the pathogen is currently established in the forest, mainly in the commercial P. radiata and, to a lesser extent, in P. pinaster plantations. The pathogen has been reported in France [15], Italy [16]. Portugal [17], in France and Italy it is considered eradicated. Forests 2017, 8, 318 is currently included in the A2 list (present in the EPPO region but not widely distributed) of pests recommended for regulation as quarantine pathogens.

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion