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Low-density Ceratocystis polonica inoculation of Norway spruce (Picea abies) triggers accumulation of monoterpenes with antifungal properties

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An Erratum to this article was published on 04 April 2014

Abstract

Among the most devastating pests of Norway spruce (Picea abies) are the European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) and the associated pathogenic blue-stain fungus Ceratocystis polonica. Following attack and colonization, the beetle and the fungus must cope with induced host chemical defenses, such as monoterpenes that are generally thought to be toxic to both symbionts. The goal of this study was to better understand the response of Norway spruce following C. polonica inoculation at low density that does not overwhelm the tree and to identify monoterpenes mobilized toward the fungus. We inoculated healthy mature trees and monitored monoterpene profiles 2, 3, and 5 months post-inoculation. We also exposed three different C. polonica strains to the most abundant or significantly up-regulated monoterpenes to determine differences in monoterpene toxicity and resistance among strains. Total monoterpene levels, including limonene, were increased at 2 and 3 months after inoculation and had dropped after 5 months. In in vitro assays, all monoterpenes were inhibitory to C. polonica. Limonene and β-pinene were the most potent inhibitors of fungal growth. The extent of inhibition varied between the three strains tested. These results showed a defense response of Norway spruce to C. polonica, in which limonene may play a critical role in inhibiting the spread of the fungus. We also showed that differences between strains of C. polonica must be taken into account when assessing the role of the fungus in this bark beetle–symbiont system.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Prof. Dr. Mario Lešnik from Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Peter Kramer from Maribor University Agriculture Centre, and Ciril Zupan from the Slovenian Forest Service for permission to use the experimental field in Pivola, Hoče, and support during the experimental work. We gratefully acknowledge support from Alfonso Lara Quesada for the assistance with data analysis and Justin G. A. Whitehill for help with the statistical analysis. We thank Mateja Felicijan for helping with the field sample collection and technical assistance with sample preparations. We thank Janez Gorenšek, Andreja Šober, Maja Svenšek, Peter Drevenšek, and Robi Gjergjek for excellent assistance in the field.

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  1. National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Metka Novak, Ljerka Lah, Neja Zupanec, Nada Kraševec, Mitja Križman & Radovan Komel

  2. Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Maribor, Pivola 10, 2311, Hoče, Slovenia

    Andreja Urbanek Krajnc

  3. Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Radovan Komel

  4. Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada

    Joerg Bohlmann

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  1. Metka Novak
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Correspondence to Ljerka Lah or Radovan Komel.

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Novak, M., Krajnc, A.U., Lah, L. et al. Low-density Ceratocystis polonica inoculation of Norway spruce (Picea abies) triggers accumulation of monoterpenes with antifungal properties. Eur J Forest Res 133, 573–583 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-013-0772-4

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