We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
MONITORING HEALTH STATUS IN FORESTRY NURSERIES OF WESTERN SICILY.
- Authors
Torta, L.; Conigliaro, G.; Lo Piccolo, S.; Mondello, V.; Sidoti, A.; Burruano, S.
- Abstract
In autumn 2011 and spring 2012, six forestry nurseries of western Sicily, managed by the Dipartimento Regionale Azienda Foreste Demaniali, producing seedlings used primarily for reforestation of the regional state-owned forests, were monitored in order to evaluate their health status. Particularly, the nurseries were located as follows: two in the province of Agrigento, two in Palermo, one in Trapani and one in Caltanissetta. Many different plant species (cypress, strawberry tree, Aleppo pine, mountain ash, myrtle, holly oak, oleander, mastic, Japanese cheesewood, pine, downy oak, thuja, laurel, cork oak, golden chain, Nebrodi pine, carob, rosemary) showed alterations, such as root rots, foliar spots and wilting, twig drying and cankers, browning of stems and a general decline. Samples of symptomatic seedlings were collected and subjected to isolation techniques. Fungal isolates belonging to genera known as etiological agents of alterations were first separated based on gross colony morphology from other isolated fungi. Morphological and molecular identification assays have been carried out on pure colonies of selected fungi. First results suggest that fungal biodiversity is associated with alterations depending on the considered organ rather than the host species or the localization of nursery. In particular, genera Alternaria and Rhizoctonia were recurrent in foliar symptoms, Fusarium, Cylindrocladium and Rhizoctonia were associated with root rot and Alternaria, Rhizoctonia, Verticillium and Cladosporium were often isolated from drying twig and cankers. Molecular analysis and pathogenicity assays are in progress to elaborate the most effective defence strategies towards these pathogens.
- Subjects
SICILY (Italy); ITALY; FOREST nurseries; TREE seedlings; PLANT morphology; RHIZOCTONIA; TUBERCULARIACEAE; PHYTOPATHOGENIC microorganisms
- Publication
Journal of Plant Pathology, 2012, Vol 94, Issue 4, pS4.82
- ISSN
1125-4653
- Publication type
Article