Chestnut blight caused by the fungal pathogen Cryphonectria parasitica is a serious disease in both North America and Europe. While the pathogen is known to infect trees through wound on stems, branches and shoots, there is little knowledge on the role played by hail wounds on the occurrence of the disease and if chestnut blight could be associated with hailstorms. To test this last hypothesis, 212 branches infected by Cryphonectria parasitica and 147 non infected were sampled from 6 sites in the Province of Cuneo, Northern Italy, and the presence/absence of the fungus was determined through isolations. Biometrical and pathological measures were compared between infected and non infected branches and between symptomatic and asymptomatic portions of infected branches. Wounds caused by hailstorms were significantly less abundant on infected branches than on non infected ones (p<0.05), but they were 3-fold larger (22.78 mm2 vs. 6.92 mm2, p<0.05). The number of wounds associated with symptoms of chestnut blight was comparable with the number of wounds observed on asymptomatic portions of the branches (16 vs. 15, p>0.05), yet the first ones were significantly larger than the last (25.13 mm2 vs. 14.61 mm2, p<0.05). Results suggest that the size of wounds rather than their abundance could promote the disease.

Insights into the association between hail wounds on shoot and branches and chestnut blight: a case study in Northern Italy

GONTHIER P.
;
GIORDANO L.;LIONE G.
2019-01-01

Abstract

Chestnut blight caused by the fungal pathogen Cryphonectria parasitica is a serious disease in both North America and Europe. While the pathogen is known to infect trees through wound on stems, branches and shoots, there is little knowledge on the role played by hail wounds on the occurrence of the disease and if chestnut blight could be associated with hailstorms. To test this last hypothesis, 212 branches infected by Cryphonectria parasitica and 147 non infected were sampled from 6 sites in the Province of Cuneo, Northern Italy, and the presence/absence of the fungus was determined through isolations. Biometrical and pathological measures were compared between infected and non infected branches and between symptomatic and asymptomatic portions of infected branches. Wounds caused by hailstorms were significantly less abundant on infected branches than on non infected ones (p<0.05), but they were 3-fold larger (22.78 mm2 vs. 6.92 mm2, p<0.05). The number of wounds associated with symptoms of chestnut blight was comparable with the number of wounds observed on asymptomatic portions of the branches (16 vs. 15, p>0.05), yet the first ones were significantly larger than the last (25.13 mm2 vs. 14.61 mm2, p<0.05). Results suggest that the size of wounds rather than their abundance could promote the disease.
2019
Meeting WP7.02.02 & 7.02.03 Phyllosphere Diseases
Figline Valdarno
6-10 May
Book of Abstracts of the Joint Meeting WP7.02.02 & 7.02.03 Phyllosphere Diseases
-
23
23
GONTHIER P., GIORDANO L., LIONE G.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/1754857
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