Herbaceous plants in the understory of a pitch canker-affected Pinus radiata plantation are endophytically infected with Fusarium circinatum. (April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hernandez-Escribano, L.; Iturritxa, E.; Elvira-Recuenco, M.; Berbegal, M.; Campos, J.A.; Renobales, G.; García, I.; Raposo, R.
• Is Part Of: Fungal ecology. Volume 32(2018)
• Page Start: 65
• Page End: 71
• Publication Date: 2018-04
• Subjects: Monterey pine -- Non-symptomatic host range -- Fungal transmission -- Pitch canker -- Reservoir of inoculum -- Population structure; Fungi -- Ecology -- Periodicals; Mycology -- Periodicals; 579.517
• DOI: 10.1016/j.funeco.2017.12.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1754-5048

Abstract

Abstract: Fusarium circinatum was recently detected as an endophyte in grasses causing no apparent damage. Our goal was to describe the endophytic colonization of herbaceous host plants growing in a plantation of Pinus radiata with symptoms of pitch canker disease, which may act as a reservoir of inoculum. We detected the fungus in five species of dicot families (Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Rosaceae), in addition to two species in the Poaceae. The fungus was found in the aerial part of non-symptomatic hosts, so we describe F. circinatum as an endophyte that is mainly transmitted by spores through the air. It was also detected in Hypochaeris radicata seeds, suggesting the potential occurrence of vertical transmission. An analysis of microsatellite markers showed a unique haplotype regardless of whether the isolates' origin was pine cankers or non-symptomatic herbaceous plants. Thus, the same genotype can adopt a pathogenic or endophytic lifestyle. We conclude that non-symptomatic plants can act as reservoirs of inoculum; pine seedlings can be infected from senescent tissue of non-symptomatic hosts colonized by the fungus. Highlights: F. circinatum colonizes endophytically plants of dicot families besides Poaceae. F. circinatum colonizes the aerial part plant of non-symptomatic herbaceous hosts. F. circinatum is detected in seeds of Hypochaeris radicata . The same F. circinatum haplotype can adopt a pathogenic or endophytic lifestyle. Pine seedlings can be infected from senescent tissue of non-symptomatic hosts.