European Journal of Plant Pathology (2011) 130, 477-488

Alejandro Solla, Olga Aguín, Elena Cubera, Luís Sampedro, J. Pedro Mansilla and Rafael Zas (2011)
Survival time analysis of Pinus pinaster inoculated with Armillaria ostoyae: genetic variation and relevance of seed and root traits
European Journal of Plant Pathology 130 (4), 477-488
Abstract: Results of a greenhouse Armillaria ostoyae inoculation experiment, designed for screening resistant Pinus pinaster genotypes and for exploring the role of different phenotypic traits in seedling susceptibility, are reported. The experiment included 39 open-pollinated pine families that comprised a random subset of the breeding population of P. pinaster in Galicia (NW Spain). We employed a non-parametric survival-time analysis to analyze patterns of survival times during 14 months after inoculation with a local A. ostoyae strain. Results indicate (i) a significant correlation between seed weight and tree susceptibility, with seedlings originating from large seeds being more susceptible, (ii) a positive family mean correlation between secondary root weight and size and median life expectancy, and (iii) genetic variation of tree tolerance to A. ostoyae, with some families surviving significantly longer than others. Less susceptible families could be used in breeding programmes or directly in forest plantations to reduce the losses caused by A. ostoyae. Large within-family variation in tolerance to the disease was also observed, suggesting that non additive genetic variance was also important. Although being infected, 32 out of the 1200 inoculated trees survived the fungus infection. These tolerant genotypes comprise an attractive collection to further investigate genetic, phenotypic and environmental factors affecting pine susceptibility to Armillaria root rot.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Rafael Zas, Alejandro Solla, Olga Aguín

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
resistance/tolerance/defence of host

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Armillaria ostoyae	Pine (Pinus)	Spain (continental)