Previously unrecorded low‐temperature Phytophthora species associated with Quercus decline in a Mediterranean forest in eastern Spain. Issue 4 (11th March 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pérez‐Sierra, A.; López‐García, C.; León, M.; García‐Jiménez, J.; Abad‐Campos, P.; Jung, T.; Belbahri, L.
• Is Part Of: Forest pathology. Volume 43:Issue 4(2013:Aug.)
• Page Start: 331
• Page End: 339
• Publication Date: 2013-03-11
• Subjects: Trees -- Diseases and pests -- Periodicals; Trees -- Effect of air pollution on -- Periodicals; Forests and forestry -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 634.9
• DOI: 10.1111/efp.12037
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1437-4781

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="efp12037-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <p>Oak decline has been a serious problem in Europe since the beginning of the twentieth century. In south‐west Spain, <italic> Quercus ilex</italic> and <italic> Q. suber</italic> are the main affected species, and their decline has been associated with <italic> Phytophthora cinnamomi</italic>. During the last 10 years, a severe decline of <italic> Q. ilex</italic> and <italic> Q. faginea</italic> accompanied by a significant decrease in the production of acorns affecting natural regeneration was observed in the eastern part of the Iberian Peninsula. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the possible involvement of <italic>Phytophthora</italic> spp. in the decline. A forest in the Natural Park 'Carrascar de la Font Roja' in Comunidad Valenciana (eastern Spain), which is dominated by <italic> Q. ilex</italic> and <italic> Q. faginea</italic>, was surveyed during 2010–2011. Symptomatic trees showed thinning and dieback of the crown, withering of leaves and death. An extensive loss of both lateral small woody roots and fine roots and callusing or open cankers on suberized roots were observed. Soil samples containing fine roots were baited using both <italic> Q. robur</italic> leaves and apple fruits. Six <italic> Phytophthora</italic> species were isolated: <italic> P. cryptogea, P. gonapodyides, P. megasperma, P. quercina, P. psychrophila</italic> and <italic> P. syringae</italic>. These are the first records of <italic> P. quercina</italic> and <italic> P. psychrophila</italic> on <italic>Q</italic>. <italic> faginea</italic>, of <italic> P. quercina</italic> in Spain and of <italic> P. psychrophila</italic> in mainland Spain. A soil infestation trial was conducted for 6 months under controlled conditions with 1‐year‐old seedlings of <italic> Q. ilex</italic> and <italic> Q. faginea</italic>. <italic> Phytophthora cinnamomi</italic> was included in the pathogenicity test for comparison. The results showed that <italic> Q. ilex</italic> seedlings were generally more susceptible to infection than <italic> Q. faginea</italic> with <italic> P. cinnamomi</italic> being the most aggressive pathogen to both oak species. The two most commonly isolated <italic> Phytophthora</italic> species, <italic> P. quercina</italic> and <italic> P. psychrophila</italic>, also proved their pathogenicity towards both <italic> Q. ilex</italic> and <italic> Q. faginea</italic>.</p> </abstract>