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- Title
FIRST DETECTION OF LEAF AND TWIG BLIGHT OF ILEX AQUIFOLIUM IN ITALY CAUSED BY PHYTOPHTHORA ILICIS.
- Authors
Scanu, B.; Linaldeddu, B. T.; Maddau, L.; Franceschini, A.
- Abstract
Ilex aquifolium is an evergreen tree or shrub native to Europe and western Asia. In Sardinia this species grows exclusively inland between 400 and 1500 m a.s.l, particularly in the Gennargentu area where it forms pure and ancient forests. In 2010, severe defoliation and dieback were observed on I. aquifolium trees located along a water course. Close inspection revealed the occurrence of leaf black spots and twig blight, especially on the lower parts of the canopy. Large limb and trunk cankers also occurred, often girdling the stem and resulting in death of the terminal portion. Culturing from margins of infected tissues onto Phytophthora selective medium consistently yielded a Phytophthora species. Based on morphology and growth rate at 20°C and 25°C on carrot agar (CA), it was identified as Phytophthora ilicis. Identity was confirmed by sequencing of ITS rDNA regions. Freshly cut twigs (15 mm diameter, 250 mm long) were inoculated with plugs of 7 day-old P. ilicis cultures grown on CA. Inoculum was placed in small bark incisions, the wounds wrapped in damp cotton wool and Parafilm. Controls used sterile CA. Twigs were incubated with cut ends in water for 14 days at 20°C; phloem lesions were then measured. P. ilicis was successfully reisolated, thus fulfilling Koch's postulates. P. ilicis was first recorded on I. aquifolium in Oregon in 1956 and only recently in the UK. This represents the first finding of this pathogen causing aerial infection on I. aquifolium in the Mediterranean basin.
- Subjects
BLIGHT diseases (Botany); ENGLISH holly; PLANT diseases; CANKER (Plant disease); AQUIFOLIACEAE
- Publication
Journal of Plant Pathology, 2012, Vol 94, Issue 4, pS4.79
- ISSN
1125-4653
- Publication type
Article