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Seedling resistance to Phytophthora cinnamomi in the genus Abies

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
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Abstract

• Context

Root rot and stem canker caused by Oomycete species belonging to the genus Phytophthora often seriously limit culture of true firs (Abies spp.)

• Aim

An investigation of the variation of resistance among Abies species to Phytophthor a cinnamomi was carried out to identify potential sources of resistance in the genus.

• Methods

Thirty-two Abies species were grown in a greenhouse for 2 and/or 3 years from seed. Seedlings were moved to an outdoor lath house, inoculated with rice grains colonized with P. cinnamomi, and subsequent mortality was assessed biweekly for 16 weeks.

• Results

Disease developed rapidly resulting in 88.1 % overall mortality 16 weeks after inoculation. Mortality was less in two of the eight taxonomic sections of the genus evaluated, Momi (0.65 ± 0.0252) and Abies (0.79 ± 0.0193). Mortality in all other sections exceeded 93 %. Final species mortality ranged from 10.6 % (Abies firma) to 100.0 % (several species).

• Conclusions

Although several caveats apply, results have identified potential sources of Abies to be used as (1) resistant planting stock, (2) grafting rootstock, and (3) parents in hybridization/backcrossing programs in order to mitigate losses caused by P. cinnamomi.

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Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge the technical support of Anne Margaret Braham, Emily Hudson Heater, Jianfeng Li, and Kala Parker.

Funding

This research was supported by the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service via the Christmas Tree Genetics Program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (34458-14512).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forestry & Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Box 8008, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA

    John Frampton

  2. Department of Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA

    D. Michael Benson

Authors
  1. John Frampton
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  2. D. Michael Benson
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to John Frampton.

Additional information

Handling Editor: Erwin Dreyer

Contribution of the co-authors

JF designed the experiment and both authors collaborated in conducting the experiment. JF performed the data analysis and led in writing the manuscript.

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Frampton, J., Benson, D.M. Seedling resistance to Phytophthora cinnamomi in the genus Abies . Annals of Forest Science 69, 805–812 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-012-0205-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-012-0205-4

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