Fungal colonization patterns in necrotic rootstocks and stem bases of dieback‐affected Fraxinus excelsior L. Issue 4 (7th June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meyn, Robert; Langer, Gitta Jutta; Gross, Andrin; Langer, Ewald Johannes
• Editors: Stenlid, Jan
• Is Part Of: Forest pathology. Volume 49:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2019-06-07
• Subjects: collar rot -- common (European) ash -- Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (Chalara fraxinea) -- infection pathway -- pathogen -- wood‐inhabiting fungi; Trees -- Diseases and pests -- Periodicals; Trees -- Effect of air pollution on -- Periodicals; Forests and forestry -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 634.9
• DOI: 10.1111/efp.12520
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1437-4781

Abstract

Abstract: European ash ( Fraxinus excelsior ) trees currently face the major threat of ash dieback caused by an invasive fungus, Hymenoscyphus fraxineus . Collar rots in F. excelsior have been increasingly associated with infections by this pathogen. However, the aetiology of the collar rots is still unclear and remains heavily debated. In contrast to most studies of this kind, entire rootstocks of four diseased ash trees were dug out to examine necrotic tissues in these rootstocks and stem bases in detail and to sample necrotic wood for fungal isolation. With the aid of morphological and molecular identification techniques, five to twelve fungal taxa were detected per tree. Members of the Nectriaceae family and Botryosphaeria stevensii, the causal agent of stem and branch cankers on many tree species, were frequently isolated from outer xylem. In contrast, H. fraxineus was the dominating species in interior wood layers. Microsatellite genotyping of 77 H. fraxineus isolates helped to identify up to six different genotypes per tree. The role of H. fraxineus and other isolated fungi in the aetiology of ash collar rots are discussed.