Resistance reaction of conifer species (European larch, Norway spruce, Scots pine) to infection by selected necrotrophic damping-off pathogens

• Published in: European journal of plant pathology Vol. 107; no. 2; pp. 191 - 207
• Main Authors: KACPRZAK, M, ASIEGBU, F. O, DANIEL, G, STENLID, J, MANKA, M, JOHANSSON, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer 01.02.2001; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Apoptosis; Biological and medical sciences; Coniferous trees; Evergreen trees; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fungal plant pathogens; Fusarium solani; Genetics and breeding of economic plants; High temperature; Microbiology; Pathogens; Pathology, epidemiology, host-fungus relationships. Damages, economic importance; Pest resistance; Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; Pine trees; Plant pathogens; Plant species; Rhizoctonia solani; Roots; Seedlings; Soil pH; Trees; Varietal selection. Specialized plant breeding, plant breeding aims; Plant pathogen; Mycosis; Root; Larix decidua; Plant juvenile growth stage; Damping off; Host; Pinus sylvestris; Reaction; Seedlings; Fungi; Infection; Resistance; Gymnospermae; Primary; Fusarium solani; Rhizoctonia solani; Spermatophyta; Coniferales; Fungi Imperfecti; Species; Picea abies; Thallophyta
• ISSN: 0929-1873; 1573-8469
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1011241617946

Three conifer species (European larch, Norway spruce, Scots pine) were investigated for their resistance to five damping-off pathogens (Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium solani, F. oxysporum, F. culmorum, F. avenaceum). Inoculation of the primary roots of seedlings with these pathogens caused host cell death which did not prevent the invasive growth of these fungi; seedlings that had formed secondary and tertiary roots could overcome the infection to a significant degree. Infections with R. solani caused significant mortality to all the conifer species. In contrast, the tree species expressed different levels of resistance when challenged with the Fusarium isolates, with Norway spruce being the most resistant compared to uninoculated controls. Some of the Fusarium isolates were more pathogenic to certain hosts than others; F. oxysporum for European larch, F. avenaceum for Scots pine, F. solani for European larch; only F. culmorum was significantly pathogenic to Norway spruce. No significant differences in disease severity were observed at different soil pH (4.3-7.5). Disease progression was delayed at lower (10-15°C) rather than higher temperatures (20-25°C).[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]