Cultural characteristics and pathogenicity of Pestalotiopsis funerea on Cupressus arizonica

Abstract

The fungal pathogen Pestalotiopsis funerea principally attacks conifer species, causing necrosis on infected tissues, and sometimes death of plants. The main objectives of this study were to determine optimal in vitro growth conditions for Spanish isolates of P. funerea and to evaluate the virulence of these isolates on Cupressus arizonica under field and laboratory conditions, with the goal of verifying possible correlations between these variables. Eight isolates of P. funerea derived from C. sempervirens, C. arizonica and Quercus pyrenaica were used in the assays. In the growth rate experiment, five culture media (PDA, MEA, WA, PCA and TAKAY medium) and six temperatures (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30°C) were evaluated. In the pathogenicity tests, two different experiments were carried out: (i) laboratory inoculations used 30-mm-long twigs of C. arizonica; (ii) in field inoculations, twigs of C. arizonica were inoculated with mycelia through wounds. Four months after inoculation, length of the twigs affected by necrosis were measured. The results suggested that Spanish P. funerea isolates had optimum growth at 25°C on TAKAY medium. The fungus caused substantial necroses on C. arizonica twigs after inoculation in both excised twigs and on adult C. arizonica trees. A positive relationship between inoculations carried out under laboratory and field conditions was found. No clear relationships were found between cultural characteristics and pathogenicity for P. funerea.

Fungi associated with Cyclaneusma needle cast in Scots pine in the west of Poland

“…They were frequent in all kinds of needles, but particularly in symptomatic and fallen ones. Spanish isolates of P. funerea had optimum growth at 25°C (Bajo et al, 2008)-temperature preferences that may emphasize the potentially increased significance of this pathogen in the present period of environmental warming. Steyaert, is known as an endophyte or an opportunistic colonizer of living tissues, but more often as a primary pathogen of stressed and damaged conifers; it may cause damping off, root rot of seedlings, needle and stem blight, twig dieback and stem cankers (Bajo, Santamaría, & Diez, 2008;Gonthier & Nicolotti, 2002;Zamora, Martinez-Ruiz, & Diez, 2008).…”

“…Its increasing significance in temperate forests has, however, also been emphasized (Markovskaja et al, 2016;Tejesvi, Kini, Prakash, Subbiah, & Shetty, 2007). Spanish isolates of P. funerea had optimum growth at 25°C (Bajo et al, 2008)-temperature preferences that may emphasize the potentially increased significance of this pathogen in the present period of environmental warming.…”

“…Steyaert, is known as an endophyte or an opportunistic colonizer of living tissues, but more often as a primary pathogen of stressed and damaged conifers; it may cause damping off, root rot of seedlings, needle and stem blight, twig dieback and stem cankers (Bajo, Santamaría, & Diez, 2008;Gonthier & Nicolotti, 2002;Zamora, Martinez-Ruiz, & Diez, 2008). detected which were not found previously in Scots pine needles.…”

“…Steyaert, is known as an endophyte or an opportunistic colonizer of living tissues, but more often as a primary pathogen of stressed and damaged conifers; it may cause damping off, root rot of seedlings, needle and stem blight, twig dieback and stem cankers (Bajo, Santamaría, & Diez, 2008;Gonthier & Nicolotti, 2002;Zamora, Martinez-Ruiz, & Diez, 2008). The fungus destroys the periderm (one of the most important tissues in host resistance) and the mycelium grows into living tissues (Bajo et al, 2008). The geographical distribution of the genus Pestalotiopsis suggests an important role in tropical conditions.…”

Pestalotiopsis—morphology, phylogeny, biochemistry and diversity

“…Affected leaves of Hymenaea courbaril show symptoms of leaf spots and the pathogen was identified as a P. subcuticularis (Guba) J.G Wei & T. Xu (Fail and Langenheim 1990). Pathogenic P. funerea infects conifer species and causes necrosis on infected tissues and sometimes death of the plants involved (Bajo et al 2008). The medicinal and ornamental Carapa guianensis is infected by P. macrochaeta (Speg.)…”