Fungal Transcript Pattern During the Preinfection Stage (12 h) of Ectomycorrhiza Formed Between Pisolithus tinctorius and Castanea sativa Roots, Identified Using cDNA Microarrays

Natural stand changes in the forest reserve of Liedekerke were analysed during the period 1986-1996, using a permanent grid of circular plots. The monitoring concentrated on natural changes in species composition, using stem number and basal area as indicators, and changes in spatial distribution and colonization capacities of trees and shrubs, with special interest in the competition between exotic and indigenous species. After only a decade of monitoring important natural changes in the woody layer were detected. The pioneer forest is gradually maturing through self-thinning processes and shifts in species composition. The overall stem number decreased with 33.6%, while the basal area increased with 20.9%. Birch (Betula pendula/ pubescens) and indigenous oak (Quercus robur/petraea) remained dominant. More tolerant exotic species, like red oak (Quercus rubra) and sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa), are slowly increasing their share in the species composition and expanding their range. Pioneer species on the other hand, like aspen (Populus tremula), willow (Salix capreaicinerealaurita), alder buckthorn (Frangula alnus) and common (Alnus glutinosa) and grey alder (A. incana), strongly declined. Black cherry (Prunus serotina) seems to be slowly invading the forest due to its massive natural regeneration. Strong competition may be expected especially from rowan ash (Sorbus aucuparia), which showed similar regeneration and colonization capacities. Elder (Sambucus nigra) dramatically extented its range, though its share remains marginal. Beech remained absent most probably due to the lack of mature trees in the vacinity of the forest. Finally this change detection allowed that general predictions could be made on the future natural development and composition of this forest reserve, which could serve forest management decisions.

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Identification of Susceptibility Genes in Castanea sativa and Their Transcription Dynamics following Pathogen Infection

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10050913 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 913

Author(s):

Vera Pavese ◽

Andrea Moglia ◽

Paolo Gonthier ◽

Daniela Torello Marinoni ◽

Emile Cavalet-Giorsa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Castanea Sativa ◽

Transcript Level ◽

Cryphonectria Parasitica ◽

Plant Responses ◽

Functional Domain ◽

Loss Of Function ◽

Pathogen Infection ◽

Domain Identification ◽

S Genes

Castanea sativa is one of the main multipurpose tree species valued for its timber and nuts. This species is susceptible to two major diseases, ink disease and chestnut blight, caused by Phytophthora spp. and Cryphonectria parasitica, respectively. The loss-of-function mutations of genes required for the onset of pathogenesis, referred to as plant susceptibility (S) genes, are one mechanism of plant resistance against pathogens. On the basis of sequence homology, functional domain identification, and phylogenetic analyses, we report for the first time on the identification of S-genes (mlo1, dmr6, dnd1, and pmr4) in the Castanea genus. The expression dynamics of S-genes were assessed in C. sativa and C. crenata plants inoculated with P. cinnamomi and C. parasitica. Our results highlighted the upregulation of pmr4 and dmr6 in response to pathogen infection. Pmr4 was strongly expressed at early infection phases of both pathogens in C. sativa, whereas in C. crenata, no significant upregulation was observed. The infection of P. cinnamomi led to a higher increase in the transcript level of dmr6 in C. sativa compared to C. crenata-infected samples. For a better understanding of plant responses, the transcript levels of defense genes gluB and chi3 were also analyzed.

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Extraction Methods and Their Influence on Yield When Extracting Thermo-Vacuum-Modified Chestnut Wood

Forests ◽

10.3390/f12010073 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 73

Author(s):

Maurizio D’Auria ◽

Marisabel Mecca ◽

Maria Roberta Bruno ◽

Luigi Todaro

Keyword(s):

Catalyst Support ◽

Castanea Sativa ◽

Extraction Methods ◽

Extraction Technique ◽

Extraction Techniques ◽

Surface Color ◽

Ms Analysis ◽

Castanea Sativa Mill ◽

Molybdenum Catalysts ◽

Chestnut Wood

Improvements in the yield and solubility of chestnut wood extractives, by using different extraction methods and molybdenum catalysts as support, have rarely been reported in literature. Many studies focus on the different parts of trees, except for the chemical characteristics of the remaining extractives achieved from thermally modified (THM) chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill) wood. This research seeks to better understand the effects of extraction techniques and catalysts on the yield and solubility of extractives. GC-MS analysis of the chloroform soluble and insoluble fractions was also used. Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE) 110 °C, Soxhlet, and autoclave extraction techniques were used to obtain extractives from untreated and thermally modified (THM) chestnut wood (170 °C for 3 h). Ethanol/H2O, ethanol/toluene, and water were the solvents used for each technique. A polyoxometalate compound (H3PMo12O40) and MoO3 supported on silica were used as catalysts. The THM induced a change in the wood’s surface color (ΔE = 21.5) and an increase in mass loss (5.9%), while the equilibrium moisture content (EMC) was reduced by 17.4% compared to the control wood. The yields of the extractives and their solubility were always higher in THM and mainly used ASE as the technique. GC-MS analysis of the extractives, without catalyst support, showed different results for each extraction technique and type of wood (untreated and THM). Ultimately, the amount of extractive compound dissolved in each solvent will differ, and the choice of extraction technique will depend on the intended final application of the extracted chemical product.

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Efficient Protocol for Improving the Development of Cryopreserved Embryonic Axes of Chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) by Encapsulation–Vitrification

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10020231 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 231

Author(s):

Mariam Gaidamashvili ◽

Eka Khurtsidze ◽

Tamari Kutchava ◽

Maurizio Lambardi ◽

Carla Benelli

Keyword(s):

Activated Charcoal ◽

Castanea Sativa ◽

Alginate Beads ◽

Embryonic Axes ◽

Root Regrowth ◽

Castanea Sativa Mill ◽

Whole Plants ◽

Long Term Preservation ◽

Direct Immersion

An optimized cryopreservation protocol for embryonic axes (EAs) of chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) has been developed based on the encapsulation–vitrification procedure. EAs of mature seeds were aseptically dissected and encapsulated in alginate beads with or without 0.3% (w/v) activated charcoal (AC). Embedded EAs were dehydrated with Plant Vitrification Solution 2 for different treatment times up to 120 min, followed by direct immersion in liquid nitrogen. Cryopreserved embryonic axes encapsulated with AC showed higher survival (70%) compared to those encapsulated without AC (50%). Sixty-four percent of embryonic axes, from synthetic seeds with AC, subsequently developed as whole plants. Plantlet regrowth was faster in AC-encapsulated EAs and showed enhanced postcryopreservation shoot and root regrowth over 2 cm after five weeks from rewarming. Results indicate that encapsulation–vitrification with activated charcoal added to the beads is an effective method for the long-term preservation of Castaneasativa embryonic axes.

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