Journal of Plant Pathology (2007) 89, p. S21 (Rocco et al.)

E. Rocco, M. Gennaro, A. Giorcelli and N. Anselmi (2007)
Endophytic fungi in nursery poplar plants
Journal of Plant Pathology 89 (3, Suppl.), S21-S21
Oral Presentation at S.I.Pa.V XIV National Meeting - Perugia, Italy 19-21 Sept. 2007
Abstract: The aim of this research was to assess the frequency of endophytic fungi, with particular reference to the pathogenic ones, in symptomless nursery poplar plants. Sampling was carried out in autumn 2006 in 1-year-old Populus x canadensis ('I-214' clone) nurseries both in Viterbo (Central Italy) and Casale Monferrato (Nothern Italy). In each nursery 10 plants were randomly selected and from each 20 cuttings and buds were collected. After surface sterilisation, cutting and bud fragments were transferred to proper nutrient media. The fungal isolates obtained were subcultured and identified by morphological and molecular characters. Pathogenic and non pathogenic endophytic fungi were found in symptomless poplar tissues. Among latent pathogens remarkable was the presence of important agents of bark necrosis like Cytospora sp. and Phomopsis sp. Discosporium populeum (Sacc.) Sutton was detected exclusively in Casale Monferrato. This is in agreement with the high incidence of this pathogen in 1- or 2-year-old plants during transplanting in Northern Italy, whereas in Central and Southern Italy it is usually absent. The possible establishment of nurseries in areas deprived of dangerous pathogens is discussed.
Database assignments for author(s): Naldo Anselmi

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
surveys/sampling/distribution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Diaporthe (genus)	Poplar/aspen (Populus)	Italy
	Cytospora (anamorphic genus)	Poplar/aspen (Populus)	Italy
	Discula populea	Poplar/aspen (Populus)	Italy