Aqueous leaf extract of Ligustrum vulgare inhibits ascospore germination and mycelial growth of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus

Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, the causal agent of common ash dieback, possesses a low level of genetic diversity in Europe. The introduction of novel strains of this fungus must be prevented, due to the possible emergence of new virulence alleles, which could result in the infestation of the small propor...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Forest pathology = Journal de pathologie forestière = Zeitschrift für Forstpathologie 2021-02, Vol.51 (1), p.n/a
Main Authors: Brühwiler, Valentin, Sieber, Thomas N., Hietala, Ari Mikko
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ascospores
ash dieback
biological control
cold extraction
Dieback
Fraxinus excelsior
Fraxinus ornus
Fungi
Genetic diversity
Germination
host range
Hymenoscyphus fraxineus
Leaves
Ligustrum vulgare
Low level
Mycelia
Plant extracts
secondary metabolites
Virulence
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Summary:Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, the causal agent of common ash dieback, possesses a low level of genetic diversity in Europe. The introduction of novel strains of this fungus must be prevented, due to the possible emergence of new virulence alleles, which could result in the infestation of the small proportion of hitherto resistant or tolerant ash trees. More comprehensive knowledge of the host spectrum of H. fraxineus is necessary for preventing further introductions. It is possible that H. fraxineus manifests itself in hosts beyond the genus Fraxinus, though this proposition has received little attention thus far. Two in vitro experiments were set up to investigate whether privet (Ligustrum vulgare) could serve as a host: germination rate of fresh H. fraxineus ascospores and colony growth of H. fraxineus were tested on agar media containing leaf extracts of privet, common ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and manna ash (Fraxinus ornus). Two different media with leaf extracts were tested, one with high (60%) and one with low (12%) extract content. Barely any significant differences were recorded in the case of the media with low extract content. Significant effects occurred only at the higher extract content level: germination was completely inhibited on the privet medium. Mycelial growth on the privet medium was slower than on both the common ash and manna ash media and, in addition, one of the three H. fraxineus strains was completely inhibited. These observations indicate the presence of inhibitors in privet. It is therefore unlikely to be a suitable host for H. fraxineus.
ISSN:1437-4781
1439-0329
DOI:10.1111/efp.12657