An ectomycorrhizal symbiosis differently affects host susceptibility to two congeneric fungal pathogens. (June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gonthier, Paolo; Giordano, Luana; Zampieri, Elisa; Lione, Guglielmo; Vizzini, Alfredo; Colpaert, Jan V.; Balestrini, Raffaella
• Is Part Of: Fungal ecology. Volume 39(2019)
• Page Start: 250
• Page End: 256
• Publication Date: 2019-06
• Subjects: Biological invasions -- Coevolution -- Fungal interactions -- Heterobasidion annosum -- Heterobasidion irregulare -- Microbiome -- Pinus sylvestris -- Suillus luteus -- Symbiont; Fungi -- Ecology -- Periodicals; Mycology -- Periodicals; 579.517
• DOI: 10.1016/j.funeco.2018.12.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1754-5048

Abstract

Abstract: The role of ectomycorrhizal fungi in modulating host susceptibility to fungal pathogens is poorly known. Pinus sylvestris susceptibility to two congeneric fungal pathogens was compared between mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants. The ectomycorrhizal fungus was Suillus luteus, while the pathogens were Heterobasidion irregulare and H. annosum . H. irregulare is native to North-America and invasive to Europe, whereas S. luteus and H. annosum are native to Eurasia. Non-mycorrhizal plants were equally susceptible to both pathogens. Mycorrhizal plants were significantly less susceptible to H. annosum than non-mycorrhizal plants, whereas there were no differences when considering H. irregulare . The abundance of ectomycorrhizas was negatively and significantly correlated to the level of host susceptibility only to H. annosum . This study shows that the protective role of ectomycorrhizal fungi may differ when the host is challenged by congeneric fungal pathogens. Results add a further clue to explain and predict the invasiveness of H. irregulare in Europe. Highlights: Ectomycorrhizas differently protect hosts challenged by congeneric fungal pathogens. Host susceptibility to native fungal pathogens depends on ectomycorrhizas abundance. Ectomycorrhizas fail to protect host against the invasive Heterobasidion irregulare .