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- Title
PHYTOPHTHORA SPECIES ASSOCIATED WITH CORK OAK DECLINE IN SARDINIA.
- Authors
Seddaiu, S.; Scanu, B.; Linaldeddu, B. T.; Sechi, C.; Franceschini, A.
- Abstract
Quercus suber is an evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean basin with a great economic and ecological value. In Italy, 87% of the total cork oak forests is located in Sardinia with nearly 85.000 ha. Since 2011, during a large scale survey on the occurrence of Phytophthora species in Sardinian forest ecosystems, three cork oak stands have been investigated. Rhizosphere soil samples were collected from ten declining cork oak trees and baited using oak leaflets. Necrotic leaves were then planted onto a Phytophthora selective medium and pure cultures grown on carrot agar. Based on morphology and growth rate, isolates were identified as Phytophthora cinnamomi and Phytophthora gonapodyides. Identity was confirmed by sequencing of ITS rDNA regions. One Phytophthora isolate is still under identification since its morphological and molecular properties did not match any formally described species or informally designated taxon. P. cinnamomi was the most frequently isolated species, while P. gonapodyides was isolated at one site and from one cork oak tree. Koch's postulates for P. cinnamomi and P. gonapodyides were met by wound inoculation of freshly cut logs of Q. suber and soil infestation of six-months old Q. suber seedlings. Both Phytophthora species demonstrated to be pathogenic towards Q. suber, with P. cinnamomi being the most aggressive species with both methods used. To our knowledge this is the first report of P. gonapodyides on Q. suber. This pathogen has been recently associated with the decline of Quercus ilex in xeric conditions in Spain.
- Subjects
SARDINIA (Italy); ITALY; SPAIN; PHYTOPHTHORA; CORK oak; OAK; FORESTS &; forestry; PHYTOPATHOGENIC microorganisms
- Publication
Journal of Plant Pathology, 2012, Vol 94, Issue 4, pS4.79
- ISSN
1125-4653
- Publication type
Article