Molecular-Based Reappraisal of a Historical Record of Dothistroma Needle Blight in the Centre of the Mediterranean Region

In this work, we rechecked, using species-specific Loop mediated isothermal AMPlification (LAMP) diagnostic assays followed by sequencing of fungal isolates at the beta-2-tubulin (tub2) gene region, a historical and never confirmed report of Dothistroma needle blight (DNB) in the introduced Monterey pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) in the mountains in the extreme tip of southern Italy. The report dates back to the mid-1970s, and predates the molecular-based taxonomic revision of the genus Dothistroma that defined the species accepted today. In the fall of 2019, symptomatic needles of Monterey pine and Corsican pine (Pinus nigra subsp. laricio (Poir.) Palib. ex Maire) were sampled in the area of the first finding. The applied diagnostic methods revealed the presence of Dothistroma septosporum (Dorogin) M. Morelet on both pine species. In this way, we: (i) confirmed the presence of the disease; (ii) clarified the taxonomic identity of the causal agent now occurring at that site; (iii) validated the species-specific LAMP diagnostic protocol we recently developed for Dothistroma for use on a portable field instrument, and (iv) showed that the pathogen now also attacks the native P. nigra subsp. laricio, a species particularly susceptible to the disease, indigenous to the mountains of Calabria, which is one of the very few areas where the species’ genetic resources are conserved. Comparative genetic analysis of the rare populations of D. septosporum found in the central Mediterranean region and in the native range of P. nigra subsp. laricio could help to clarify the history of the spread of the pathogen in southern Europe and better evaluate the risk it poses to the conservation of native pine species.

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Dothistroma needle blight Mycosphaerella pini E. Rostrup, a new quarantine pathogen of pines in the CR

Journal of Forest Science ◽

10.17221/4629-jfs ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 50 (No. 7) ◽

pp. 319-326 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

L. Jankovský ◽

M. Bednářová ◽

D. Palovčíková

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Host Species ◽

Pinus Nigra ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Picea Pungens ◽

Quarantine Pathogen ◽

Dothistroma Needle Blight ◽

First Time ◽

Needle Blight

Dothistroma needle blight caused by Mycosphaerella pini E. Rostrup was observed for the first time in the Czech Republic on an imported Pinus nigra Arnold in 1999. In 2000, it was also found in the open planting. During three years, it became an important pathogen of pines in the Czech Republic. Its occurrence was noticed in more than 50 localities, above all in the region of Moravia and Silesia and eastern Bohemia. In total, it was found on 10 species of pine (P. nigra Arnold, P. banksiana Lamb., <br />P. contorta Loudon, P. mugo Turra, P. leucodermis Ant., P. sylvestris L., P. cembra L., P. aristata Engelm., P. ponderosa P. et C. Lawson and P. jeffreyi Grev. et Balf.). Also Picea pungens  Engelm. was noticed as a host species. In the Czech Republic, Pinus nigra is the most frequent host species of M. pini (80% localities) followed by Pinus mugo (27% localities). On Scots pine P. sylvestris, M. pini was noticed at two localities. The critical period for infection is in the Czech Republic from the second half of May until the end of June. The incubation period lasts about 2–4 months depending on climatic conditions. The first symptoms on the needles infected in the current year appear in August being clearly expressed from September to November.In the CR, Dothistroma needle blight spread probably with infected planting stock obtained from import at the end of the 80s and at the beginning of the 90s.

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The host spectrum of Dothistroma needle blight Mycosphaerella pini E. Rostrup – new hosts of Dothistroma needle blight observed in theCzech Republic

Journal of Forest Science ◽

10.17221/4484-jfs ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 52 (No. 1) ◽

pp. 30-36 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

M. Bednářová ◽

D. Palovčíková ◽

L. Jankovský

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Pinus Ponderosa ◽

Pinus Banksiana ◽

Pinus Contorta ◽

Pinus Nigra ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Christmas Trees ◽

Dothistroma Needle Blight ◽

Pinus Aristata ◽

Needle Blight

Dothistroma needle blight Mycosphaerella pini E. Rostrup and its anamorphic stage Dothistroma septospora (Dorog.) Morelet was detected for the first time in the territory of the Czech Republic in a consignment of imported plants of Austrian pine Pinus nigra Arnold in 1999. In 2000, it was also found on Pinus nigra in an open planting in a plantation of Christmas trees by the village of Jedovnice near Brno in South Moravia. In the Czech Republic, Dothi-stroma needle blight was identified on 13 species of pine. Pinus nigra Arnold and Pinus mugo Turra are the most frequent hosts. In addition to these species, Dothistroma needle blight was observed on Pinus ponderosa Douglas ex Lawson, Pinus jeffreyi Grev. et Balf, Pinus banksiana Lamb., Pinus contorta Douglas, Pinus rotundata Link, Pinus leucodermis Ant. and Pinus sylvestris L. Finds on Pinus aristata Engelm., Pinus rigida Mill., Pinus heldreichii H. Christ. and Pinus cembra L. var. sibirica (Du Tour) G. Don. are a certain rarity. These species are not mentioned anywhere as potential hosts of Dothistroma needle blight. As for the species of other genera Picea pungens Engelm., Picea abies L. Karst. and last but not least Picea schrenkiana Fisch. & C. A. Mey were also observed as hosts. The host range of Dothistroma needle blight recorded in papers is noted as well.

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First Report of Dothistroma pini, a Recent Agent of the Dothistroma Needle Blight, on Pinus radiata in France

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pdis-01-13-0068-pdn ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 98 (6) ◽

pp. 841-841 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

D. Piou ◽

R. Ioos

Keyword(s):

Pinus Radiata ◽

Pcr Analysis ◽

Host Preferences ◽

First Report ◽

The North ◽

Morphological Studies ◽

Dothistroma Needle Blight ◽

Pinus Spp ◽

Needle Blight ◽

Pine Species

Dothistroma needle blight (DNB), also known as red band needle blight, is an important fungal disease of Pinus spp. that occurs worldwide. On the basis of molecular and morphological studies of the anamorphic stage, Barnes et al. (1) showed that two closely related species were involved in DNB: Dothistroma septosporum (Dorog.) Morelet and D. pini Hulbary. D. septosporum (teleomorph: Mycosphaerella pini Rostr.) has a worldwide distribution and is reported as the species that caused past epidemics of DNB. This species is reported on more than 80 different pine species, and Pinus radiata D. Don (Monterey pine) is classified as a highly or moderately susceptible species, depending on the published sources (4). D. pini (telemorph: unknown) was initially found on needles of P. nigra J. F. Arnold collected from 1964 to 2001 in the north central United States (Minnesota, Nebraska, and Michigan). It was subsequently found in Ukraine and southwestern Russia, where it has been associated with the emergence of DNB on P. nigra subsp. pallasiana (Lamb.) Holmboe, in Hungary on P. nigra, and in Russia on P. mugo Turra (1). In France, D. pini was reported for the first time on P. nigra, and was sometimes found in association with D. septosporum on the same needles (3). Later on, a more intensive survey of DNB was launched in France and 216 stands of Pinus sp. were studied. D. septosporum and D. pini were detected in 133 and 123 stands, respectively. Both species co-occurred in 40 stands but D. pini was only found on P. nigra (subsp. laricio and austriaca) (2). Up to now, D. pini was therefore only reported on European pine species, mainly on the different allopatric subspecies belonging to the black pine complex and on one occasion on P. mugo, which belongs to the same section and subsection as P. nigra. In March 2011, typical symptoms of DNB (needles with orangey-red brown distal ends, dark red bands, and green bases; small and black fruit bodies within the bands) were observed in a 50- to 60-year old P. radiata stand of ~3 ha located in Pyrénées Atlantiques close to the Spanish border (1°36′08″ W, 43°19′51″ N). The density of pine was relatively low and patches of natural regeneration were present. Although nearly all of the trees showed DNB symptoms, less than 50% of their needles were affected by the disease. In this stand, needles showing typical DNB symptoms were randomly taken from four pines and mixed together to form a single sample for analysis. Total DNA was extracted from symptomatic needle pieces. The presence of D. pini was confirmed by a specific multiplex real-time PCR analysis using the D. pini-specific primers/probe combination DPtef-F1-/R1/-P1 (3), and by sequencing a D. pini-specific amplicon generated by another conventional PCR (3) using DPtef-F/DPtef-R primers (GenBank Accession KC853059) (3). D. septosporum was not detected in the sample. To our knowledge, this is the first report worldwide of D. pini on P. radiata, a pine species largely planted in Spain and in the Southern Hemisphere. This is also the first report of this pathogen on a non-European pine species. The original native range and the host range of D. pini remain unknown and there is currently no data about host preferences or aggressiveness on different pine species. References: (1) I. Barnes et al. For. Pathol. 41:361, 2011. (2) B. Fabre et al. Phytopathology 102:47, 2012. (3) R. Ioos et al. Phytopathology 100:105, 2010. (4) M. Watt et al. For. Ecol. Manage. 257:1505, 2009.

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Picea pungens Engelm. – a new host of Dothistroma needle blight Mycosphaerella pini E. Rostrup detected in the Czech Republic

Journal of Forest Science ◽

10.17221/4619-jfs ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 50 (No. 5) ◽

pp. 235-236 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

L. Jankovský ◽

D. Palovčíková ◽

M. Bednářová

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Pinus Nigra ◽

Pine Needles ◽

New Host ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Blue Spruce ◽

Picea Pungens ◽

Southern Moravia ◽

Dothistroma Needle Blight ◽

Needle Blight

Dothistroma needle blight Mycosphaerella pini is an important pathogen of pine needles. In addition to different species of pine, M. pini was found in blue spruce Picea pungens in the proximity of infected Pinus nigra in the region of southern Moravia about 20 km SE of Brno.

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Four New Host and Three New State Records of Dothistroma Needle Blight Caused by Dothistroma pini in the United States

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pdis-06-14-0606-pdn ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 98 (10) ◽

pp. 1443-1443 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

I. Barnes ◽

J. A. Walla ◽

A. Bergdahl ◽

M. J. Wingfield

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Pacific Northwest ◽

Mating Type ◽

Dna Sequences ◽

Pinus Nigra ◽

The United States ◽

New Host ◽

Dothistroma Needle Blight ◽

Dothistroma Pini ◽

Needle Blight

During 2010 and 2011, Dothistroma needle blight (DNB), also known as red band needle blight, was observed for the first time in Cass and Pembina counties in North Dakota (ND). In Pembina Co., DNB was observed in two sites in the Jay V. Wessels Wildlife Management Area (JWWMA). In September 2009, yellow spots on green needles were observed on some trees along the western edge of one planting. By June 2010, DNB was found on third- and fourth-year needles in both JWWMA plantings. Symptoms had developed into dark brown bands or spots on necrotic needles that contained erumpent black acervuli. In June 2011, similar DNB symptoms were observed on Pinus nigra, P. flexilis, P. ponderosa, P. cembra, and P. albicaulis in the Dale E. Herman Research Arboretum, Cass Co., ND. DNB was collected in July 2011 in Brookings Co., South Dakota (SD), from a seed source provenance planting of P. ponderosa. To identify the species causing the infections, symptomatic needles were collected in 2010 from both sites in JWWMA and then again from all four locations in 2011 on all pine species infected. Needles of P. nigra from a private residence near Fairland in Shelby County, Indiana (IN), were also included in the sample set. The rDNA-ITS was PCR-amplified either directly from conidia obtained from acervuli on the needles or from cultures obtained from isolations. Amplicons were sequenced and a BLAST search was performed in GenBank. The sequences of samples obtained from P. nigra, P. flexilis, P. cembra, and P. albicaulis in ND, P. ponderosa in SD, and P. nigra from IN showed 100% sequence homology with Dothistroma pini (Accession No. AY808302). These isolates were identical to all previously assayed isolates of D. pini from Nebraska, Minnesota, and Michigan in the United States. The P. ponderosa isolates from all three sites in ND differed from the other isolates and contained a 1-bp point mutation from a C to a T at site 72 (sequence deposited in GenBank, accession KJ933441). Mating type was determined using species-specific mating type primers for D. pini (3). All 26 samples from ND and SD were of the MAT-1 idiomorph, while the sample from IN contained the MAT-2 idiomorph. All cultures are maintained at FABI, University of Pretoria, South Africa. The two species that cause DNB, D. septosporum (G. Dorog.) M. Morelet and D. pini Hulbary, are morphologically indistinguishable and molecular characterization remains essential for correct species identification (1). Host and geographical distribution range determinations of Dothistroma spp. made without molecular methods are not valid. To date, species confirmed using DNA sequences in the United States include D. septosporum in the Pacific Northwest states of Oregon and Idaho on P. ponderosa, in Montana on P. contorta v. latifolia, and D. pini in the North Central states of Nebraska, Minnesota, and Michigan on P. nigra (1). This study documents the presence of D. pini in three additional states, including a first report of DNB in ND and SD. It also includes new records of D. pini infecting P. flexilis, P. cembra, P. albicaulis, and P. ponderosa. Results of this study have expanded the documented host range of D. pini in the United States from one (P. nigra) to five species. Globally, D. pini is now known to infect a total of 10 pine hosts (2,4,5). References: (1) I. Barnes et al. Stud. Mycol. 50:551, 2004. (2) I. Barnes et al. For. Pathol. 41:361, 2011. (3) M. Groenewald et al. Phytopathology 97:825, 2007. (4) D. Piou et al. Plant Dis. 98:841, 2014. (5) B. Piskur et al. For. Pathol. 43:518, 2013.

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Evaluation of fungal endophytes to biological control of Dothistroma needle blight on Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana (Crimean pine)

Наукові праці Лісівничої академії наук України ◽

10.15421/411924 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 22-32

Author(s):

Kateryna Davydenko

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Antifungal Activity ◽

Plant Pathogens ◽

Pinus Nigra ◽

Fungal Isolation ◽

Trichoderma Sp ◽

Dothistroma Needle Blight ◽

Dothistroma Pini ◽

Specific Priming ◽

Needle Blight

Dothistroma needle blight (DNB), caused by Dothistroma septosporum and Dothistroma pini, is the most important forest disease of pine in many countries. This disease has recently emerged in Ukraine as a major threat to mostly Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana and less to Scots pine. There is increasing evidence that some fungal and bacterial isolates can reduce the growth and pathogenicity of fungal plant pathogens. In this research, infected needles were collected from 30-year-old Crimean pine (P. nigra subsp. pallasiana) in four locations in Southern Ukraine. In total, 244 of endophytic fungi were recovered from needles of Crimean pine during summer sampling of the host’s microbiome in Ukraine in 2012-2014. Dothistroma spp. were detected using fungal isolation and species-specific priming PCR techniques. Among all endophytes, eight fungal species were selected based on the commonness of their occurrence in the foliage of the host and their antagonistic activity. All selected species were tested for their antifungal activity against Dothistroma needle blight. Good antifungal activity against Dothistroma pini was achieved with the Trichoderma sp. and Gliocladium rosea, indicating their good potential possibility in preventing the Dothistroma needle blight on young pines. Moreover, the significant reduction in numbers of conidia and spore germination was found on needles treated with Trichoderma sp. and Gliocladium rosea, compared to conidia numbers following treatment with other fungi. Thus, the use of an effective biological control agent against Dothistroma could be of value in forest nurseries, where it is essential to reduce losses to D. pini infection prior to transferring pines to field sites for planting out.

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Dothistroma Needle Blight, Caused by Dothistroma septospora, of Pinus spp. in Vermont

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pdis.2000.84.6.706d ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 84 (6) ◽

pp. 706-706 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

S. E. Pfister ◽

S. Halik ◽

D. R. Bergdahl

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

New England ◽

Pinus Nigra ◽

Commonwealth Mycological Institute ◽

Foliar Blight ◽

The World ◽

Ascigerous State ◽

Dothistroma Needle Blight ◽

Pinus Spp ◽

Needle Blight

Dothistroma needle blight, caused by Dothistroma septospora (teleo-morph Mycosphaerella pini), is a serious foliage disease of pine species throughout the world. In the northeastern United States, the fungus has been reported from Pennsylvania, but not New York, New Jersey, or any of the New England states. It has been reported from the eastern provinces of Canada (Newfoundland, Quebec). During 1994 to 1998, stromatic conidomata consistent with descriptions of D. septospora were associated with needle blight symptoms on mature landscape pines at four locations (Jericho, Montpelier, Williamstown, Williston) and one Christmas tree farm (Barre) in Vermont. Pinus nigra was affected at four locations; P. mugo and P. ponderosa were affected at one location each. Severe foliar blight and defoliation occurred during successive years on P. nigra and P. mugo. Collections from each location and host were examined microscopically. Mean lengths and widths of 20 or more conidia from each of three collections of P. nigra (Barre, Montpelier, and Williston) were 2.3 × 25, 2.7 × 20, and 2.6 × 24 μm, respectively. Corresponding values for collections from P. mugo and P. ponderosa were 2.4 × 26 and 3.6 × 31 μm, respectively. All collections conformed to descriptions and illustrations of D. septospora (1). No ascigerous state was observed from 1994 to 1998. This is the first report of D. septospora in New England. Reference: (1) H. C. Evans. 1984. The Genus Mycosphaerella and Its Anamorphs Cercoseptoria, Dothistroma and Lecanosticta on Pines. Commonwealth Mycological Institute, Kew, England.

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Forest health and climate change: A British Columbia perspective

The Forestry Chronicle ◽

10.5558/tfc86412-4 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 86 (4) ◽

pp. 412-422 ◽

Cited By ~ 51

Author(s):

Alex J. Woods ◽

Don Heppner ◽

Harry H. Kope ◽

Jennifer Burleigh ◽

Lorraine Maclauchlan

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

British Columbia ◽

Mountain Pine Beetle ◽

Forest Health ◽

Forest Insects ◽

Pine Beetle ◽

The World ◽

Dothistroma Needle Blight ◽

Management Recommendations ◽

Needle Blight

BC’s forests have already faced two simultaneous, globally significant, epidemics linked to climate change; the Dothistroma needle blight epidemic in NW BC and the massive mountain pine beetle epidemic throughout the BC Interior. Building on these experiences, we have compiled our best estimates of how we believe other forest health agents may behave as climate change continues to influence our forests. We have drawn on literature from around the world but have focused on the situation in BC. We have made management recommendations based on what we have seen so far and what we expect to come.Key words: climate change, forest health, forest insects, forest pathogens, forest management, British Columbia

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Stand-level biomass models for predicting C stock for the main Spanish pine species

Forest Ecosystems ◽

10.1186/s40663-021-00308-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ana Aguirre ◽

Miren del Río ◽

Ricardo Ruiz-Peinado ◽

Sonia Condés

Keyword(s):

Form Factor ◽

Pinus Halepensis ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Pinus Nigra ◽

Carbon Stocks ◽

Tree Size ◽

Pine Forests ◽

Stand Volume ◽

Biomass Models ◽

Pine Species

Abstract Background National and international institutions periodically demand information on forest indicators that are used for global reporting. Among other aspects, the carbon accumulated in the biomass of forest species must be reported. For this purpose, one of the main sources of data is the National Forest Inventory (NFI), which together with statistical empirical approaches and updating procedures can even allow annual estimates of the requested indicators. Methods Stand level biomass models, relating the dry weight of the biomass with the stand volume were developed for the five main pine species in the Iberian Peninsula (Pinus sylvestris, Pinus pinea, Pinus halepensis, Pinus nigra and Pinus pinaster). The dependence of the model on aridity and/or mean tree size was explored, as well as the importance of including the stand form factor to correct model bias. Furthermore, the capability of the models to estimate forest carbon stocks, updated for a given year, was also analysed. Results The strong relationship between stand dry weight biomass and stand volume was modulated by the mean tree size, although the effect varied among the five pine species. Site humidity, measured using the Martonne aridity index, increased the biomass for a given volume in the cases of Pinus sylvestris, Pinus halepensis and Pinus nigra. Models that consider both mean tree size and stand form factor were more accurate and less biased than those that do not. The models developed allow carbon stocks in the main Iberian Peninsula pine forests to be estimated at stand level with biases of less than 0.2 Mg∙ha− 1. Conclusions The results of this study reveal the importance of considering variables related with environmental conditions and stand structure when developing stand dry weight biomass models. The described methodology together with the models developed provide a precise tool that can be used for quantifying biomass and carbon stored in the Spanish pine forests in specific years when no field data are available.

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Worldwide Genetic Structure Elucidates the Eurasian Origin and Invasion Pathways of Dothistroma septosporum, Causal Agent of Dothistroma Needle Blight

Journal of Fungi ◽

10.3390/jof7020111 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 111

Author(s):

Martin S. Mullett ◽

Rein Drenkhan ◽

Kalev Adamson ◽

Piotr Boroń ◽

Anna Lenart-Boroń ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Eastern Europe ◽

Causal Agent ◽

Ancestral Population ◽

Economic Damage ◽

Invasion Pathways ◽

Western Asia ◽

Dothistroma Needle Blight ◽

Migration Pathways ◽

Dothistroma Septosporum ◽

Needle Blight

Dothistroma septosporum, the primary causal agent of Dothistroma needle blight, is one of the most significant foliar pathogens of pine worldwide. Its wide host and environmental ranges have led to its global success as a pathogen and severe economic damage to pine forests in many regions. This comprehensive global population study elucidated the historical migration pathways of the pathogen to reveal the Eurasian origin of the fungus. When over 3800 isolates were examined, three major population clusters were revealed: North America, Western Europe, and Eastern Europe, with distinct subclusters in the highly diverse Eastern European cluster. Modeling of historical scenarios using approximate Bayesian computation revealed the North American cluster was derived from an ancestral population in Eurasia. The Northeastern European subcluster was shown to be ancestral to all other European clusters and subclusters. The Turkish subcluster diverged first, followed by the Central European subcluster, then the Western European cluster, which has subsequently spread to much of the Southern Hemisphere. All clusters and subclusters contained both mating-types of the fungus, indicating the potential for sexual reproduction, although asexual reproduction remained the primary mode of reproduction. The study strongly suggests the native range of D. septosporum to be in Eastern Europe (i.e., the Baltic and Western Russia) and Western Asia.

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