Physiological responses of cork oak and holm oak to infection by fungal pathogens involved in oak decline

• Published in: Forest pathology = Journal de pathologie forestière = Zeitschrift für Forstpathologie Vol. 39; no. 4; pp. 232 - 238
• Main Authors: Linaldeddu, B.T, Sirca, C, Spano, D, Franceschini, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Oxford, UK : Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.08.2009; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Biscogniauxia mediterranea; Botryosphaeria
• ISSN: 1437-4781; 1439-0329
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0329.2008.00579.x

The aim of this research was to study the changes in net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance values in 3-year-old cork oak and holm oak seedlings growing in natural conditions and inoculated with Apiognomonia quercina, Biscogniauxia mediterranea, Botryosphaeria corticola and Pleurophoma cava. Throughout the 4-month experimental period, the evolution of visual external symptoms and the values of physiological variables were periodically recorded. All pathogens caused stem lesions around the infection point; however, the lesions caused by B. corticola were longer in both oak species. On cork oak seedlings, all pathogens induced a significant and gradual reduction in net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance values, whereas other physiological disturbances were induced only by B. corticola infections on holm oak seedlings.