The Phytophthora complex associated with Castanea sativa Mill. was investigated in five European countries in 35 regions and with respect to various domestication levels. Annual precipitation and length of drought season were the main parameters that regulated the presence of Phytophthora species in the chestnut stands. Seven species of Phytophthora were detected; three of these, P. megasperma, P. cryptogea and P. syringae had not been previously reported on sweet chestnut. P. cinnamomi. P. cambivora and P. citricola were most frequently isolated. P. cinnamomi and P. cambivora were the species significantly associated with declining trees with symptoms of Ink Disease. P. cinnamomi required distinct ecological conditions compared to the other species. P. cinnamomi was never detected in sites characterized by minimum temperatures below 1.4°C, maximum temperature above 28°C, or soil pH below 5.4. The results obtained provide useful information for modeling the probability of Ink Disease, crown decline and associated Phytophthora species in chestnut groves in global climatic change scenarios.
Castanea sativa, one of the most precious forest trees in Greece, is affected by the spread of chestnut blight all over the country. Identification and mapping of the vegetative compatibility (vc) types of the fungus Cryphonectria parasitica was carried out and the occurrence of hypovirulence was checked. In 11 chestnut populations distributed all over Greece, 627 isolates were obtained and their vc type was determined. Four vc types were identified by means of tester isolates: EU-12 was found to be the dominant vc type reaching a percentage of 88%, with EU-2 (6%), EU-10 (3%) and EU-1 (2%) following. EU-12 was found in all 11 populations investigated whereas EU-2 was isolated from five populations and EU-10 and EU-1 were found only in one population each. Natural hypovirulence was also found in five populations of 11 examined. Perithecia were not found in either population, a finding supported by the fact that all Greek isolates examined belonged to a single mating type, MAT-1. The low diversity in vc types, the absence of the perithecial stage and the occurrence of natural hypovirulence in some areas support the feasibility of successful application of biological control on the national level in Greece.
Uncertainty among Greek farmers who are in search of new and profitable crops has increased interest in truffle cultivation. Recent research has come up with 23 taxa of hypogeous fungi new for Greece including gastronomically valuable species. Natural ecosystems of <em>Quercus pubescens, Q. frainetto, Q. ilex</em> and <em>Q. coccifera</em> seem to be rich in hypogeous species. Ecosystems with <em>Corylus avellana, Carpinus betulus</em>, Mediterranean pines and even poplar plantations were found to also host hypogeous fungi. These records, supported by historical information about the existence of truffles in Greece, seem to be encouraging hints for systematic truffle cultivation.
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