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The Holomorph Apiognomonia quercina/Discula quercina as a Pathogen/Endophyte in Oak

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Endophytes of Forest Trees

Part of the book series: Forestry Sciences ((FOSC,volume 80))

Abstract

This chapter summarises research carried out on the biology, ecology and the impact of the holomorph Apiognomonia quercina/Discula quercina in oak forests. The major life-history traits and aspects of the epidemiology (isolation, survival, reproduction, dispersal, host selectivity) and control of the oak anthracnose agent are elucidated. The role of weather patterns in disrupting the delicate interaction between the host tree and the microorganism is outlined. The evidence suggests that changes in the climate profoundly alter the plant-endophyte symbiosis, generating conflicts of interest between the partners in the interaction. When such competing interests arise, the survival and reproduction of one member of the interaction do not conform with that of the partner. The interaction becomes thus disadvantageous and harmful to one of the organisms and the symbiosis from mutualistic or neutral turns antagonistic. The fungal partner, which under normal conditions survives in quiescence, with a low biomass, resumes growth but now switches from a latent, asymptomatic occupier of inner oak tissues to an aggressive coloniser that sporulates profusely over the tree surface. The importance of investigating the functioning and the role of the plant-endophyte symbiosis in perennial host trees in natural forests is stressed.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge Mrs Irene Dellavalle, of the Plant Protection Institute of CNR, Florence, Italy, for technical assistance with the field and laboratory work and the preparation of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Agrarie, Sezione di Protezione delle Piante, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Piazzale delle Cascine 28, 50144, Florence, Italy

    Salvatore Moricca & Alessandro Ragazzi

Authors
  1. Salvatore Moricca
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  2. Alessandro Ragazzi
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Correspondence to Salvatore Moricca .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Biology, University of Oulu, Linnanmaa Biologintie A6, Oulu, 90570, Finland

    Anna Maria Pirttilä

  2. , School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, North Lake Road 5200, Merced, 95343, California, USA

    A. Carolin Frank

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Moricca, S., Ragazzi, A. (2011). The Holomorph Apiognomonia quercina/Discula quercina as a Pathogen/Endophyte in Oak. In: Pirttilä, A., Frank, A. (eds) Endophytes of Forest Trees. Forestry Sciences, vol 80. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1599-8_3

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