Phytophthora cryptogea as a casual agent of stem base and root rot of Ajuga reptans

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Date
2013
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Instytut Uprawy Nawożenia i Gleboznawstwa – Państwowy Instytut Badawczy w Puławach
Abstract
Description
Yearly observation of plant healthiness in Polish container nurseries indicates a systematically growing list of host plants for Phytophthora species, one of the most dangerous soilborne pathogens. In 2011, in one of the perennial nurseries, symptoms of stem base and root rot on Ajuga reptans were observed. Necro sis progressivly spread to leaf blades. The objective of this study was isolation, identification, morphological characterization and pathogenicity evaluation of the disease factor. Plant samples together with substratum were transferred in plastic bags to the laboratory. After washing in running tap and distilled water and sterilising over a burner flame, about 5 mm parts, taken from the border of healthy and diseased tissues, were put onto PDA medium. Cultures growing around inocula were at first identified to the genus based on microscopic observation. The baiting technique with rhododendron leaves was used for pathogen isolation from the substratum. In the laboratory condi tions pathogenicity tests were performed. Pathogen inocula were transferred onto roots, leaf blades and leaf petioles placed in trays on sterile, blotting paper covered with plastic net. Development of necrotic symptoms was observed during 6 days of incubation. From infected plant tissues as well as from substratum Phy tophthora cryptogea Pethybr. & Laff. was isolated. The pathogen was identified on the basis of morphological and cultural char acteristics. Results were confirmed using PCR technique with species-specific primers. The trials on the influence of tempera ture on the pathogen growth showed that P. cryptogea developed at temperatures from 5o C to 30o C, with the optimum at 25o C. In the laboratory trials pathogenicity of P. cryptogea to A. reptans ‘Multicolor’ organs was confirmed. Additionally, the suscep tibility of different Ajuga species and cultivars was examined. The pathogen colonized 5 cultivars among A. reptans as well as A. x tenorii, commonly growing in ornamental nurseries. The most susceptible was cv. Braunherz. To fulfill Koch’s postulates, after completed trials, the pathogen was reisolated from plant tis sues with disease symptoms and again identified as P. cryptogea.
Celem prowadzonych badań była izolacja, identyfika cja oraz ocena chorobotwórczości czynnika powodującego za mieranie nasadzeń Ajuga reptans w szkółkach bylinowych. Z ro ślin z objawami zgnilizny podstawy pędu oraz korzeni, jak rów nież z podłoża izolowano Phytophthora cryptogea. Identyfikację patogena przeprowadzono w oparciu o cechy morfologiczne oraz stosując technikę PCR ze starterami gatunkowo specyficznymi. W warunkach laboratoryjnych omawiany gatunek kolonizował liście, ogonki liściowe i korzenie A. reptans ‘Multicolor’, po wodując na nich rozwój zgnilizny. Ponadto badany izolat zasie dlał tkanki 5 odmian w obrębie gatunku A. reptans oraz gatunku mieszańcowego, powszechnie uprawianych w kontenerowych szkółkach roślin ozdobnych. Najbardziej podatna na P. cryptogea okazała się odmiana ‘Braunherz’. Doświadczenia nad wpływem temperatury na rozwój patogena wykazały, iż rozwijał się on w zakresie od 5o C do 30 o C, przy optimum 25 o C.
Keywords
Phytophthora cryptogea, Ajuga reptans, isolation, identification, pathogenicity, ytophthora cryptogea, Ajuga reptans, izolacja, identyfikacja, chorobotwórczość
Citation
Polish Journal of Agronomy, 2013, nr 15, 27–31