Does Gnomoniopsis castanea contribute to the natural biological control of chestnut gall wasp?

Theory predicts that mixed forests are more resistant to native pests than pure forests (i.e. associational resistance) because of reduced host accessibility and increased top-down control by natural enemies. Yet, whether the same mechanisms also apply to invasive pests remains to be verified. We tested the hypothesis of associational resistance against the invasive Asian chestnut gall wasp (ACGW, Dryocosmus kuriphilus) by comparing ACGW infestation rates on chestnuts (Castanea sativa) in stands varying in species composition (chestnut alone or associated with oaks, pines or ashes). We investigated the effects of reduced chestnut density and frequency in mixed stands, as well as the effect of biotic interactions between ACGW, its parasitoids and the chestnut blight disease (caused by Cryphonectria parasitica). ACGW infestation rates were significantly lower in chestnut-oak and chestnut-ash mixtures than in pure chestnut stands and chestnut-pine mixtures. Infestation rate decreased with decreasing chestnut relative proportion. The composition of native parasitoid communities emerged from galls significantly differed between pure and mixed chestnut stands, but not the species richness or abundance of parasitoids. The abundance of the introduced parasitoid Torymus sinensis was not correlated with ACGW infestation rates and was independent of stand composition. Blight symptoms modified ACGW infestation rates with taller trees being preferred when they were asymptomatic but avoided when they presented blight disease damage. Our results suggest that conservation biological control based on tree species mixtures could contribute to reducing the damage of invasive forest pests.Excepting for the first and last authors, the order of authors is alphabetical.

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“…Gnomoniopsis castanea, Vannini et al 2017) or of competing generalist herbivores (Cooper and Rieske 2010;Tosi et al 2015).…”

Section: Acgw Infestation Rates Depend On Tree Neighbour Identitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Plant neighbour identity and invasive pathogen infection affect associational resistance to an invasive gall wasp

et al. 2017

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“…are documented as endophytes and are associated with rotten chestnuts in Italy, being in some cases, the most abundant fungus in the old galls (Gentile et al 2009;Magro et al 2010;Vettraino et al 2011;Visentin et al 2012;Vannini et al 2012Vannini et al , 2017Ugolini et al 2014;Lione et al 2016). This fungus was also found in New Zealand (Sogonov et al 2008) in chestnut blight cankers in India (Dar and Rai 2013).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Fungi associated with necrotic galls of <i>Dryocosmus kuriphilus</i> (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) in northern Spain

Fernández¹,

García²,

Casero³

2018

Silva Fenn.

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Highlights• Presence of Dryocosmus kuriphilus in Northern Spain.• The mycobiota associated to necrotic galls was studied for the first time.• 7 fungal species were identified.• The entomopathogenic fungi found could be use as potential biological control agents.• Gnomomiopsis smithogilvyi, Fusarium oxysporum and F. avenaceum known by their toxicity against the insect, were found. AbstractThe Asian chestnut gall wasp (ACGW), Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) is one of the most important pests in Castanea species worldwide. In 2012, it was found for the first time in Catalonia (Spain) and a year later, in the north of Spain (Cantabria). Today, it is present in 14 Spanish provinces. In search of biological control against the ACGW, several authors have previously found the relationship between the presence of some Fusarium Link species in necrotic galls and wasp mortality due to the production of different types of wall-degrading enzymes and entomopathogenic mycotoxins. The objective of this study was to investigate the mycobiota associated with necrotic galls to find interesting perspectives for biological control of the ACGW. For this purpose, in 2014, 119 necrotic galls of Castanea sativa Miller were plated to isolate and identify the associated fungi. The fungal isolates were identified by the morphology of the fruiting bodies and DNA analyses. From necrotic galls, 7 species of fungi were identified. Of these, we highlight three species of Fusarium Link as well as the presence of Gnomoniopsis smithogilvyi Shuttlew, Liew & Guest due to its toxic capacity. Further studies are required to verify the effectiveness of these fungal species as biocontrol agents against the ACGW.

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“…After 1 week at 22 ± 2 °C, plates were observed. From a representative number of colonies resembling G. castanea (10%) monohyphal isolates were obtained and identified on the base of morphological and molecular traits . Isolates Pini a and Pini d, previously identified as G. castanea, were used as references.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…From a representative number of colonies resembling G. castanea (10%) monohyphal isolates were obtained and identified on the base of morphological and molecular traits. 37,38 Isolates Pini a and Pini d, previously identified as G. castanea, 37 were used as references. Isolates recorded as G. castanea were counted, transferred on PDA plates, and maintained at 24 ∘ C. Mycelial plugs (8 mm) from actively growing colonies of the isolates Gc1 and Gc2, obtained in this study and chosen as representative, were placed on PDA plates, incubated at 4 ∘ C in the absence of ozone (GC), and treated with ozone at different times of exposition (2,4,8,16,24 and 72 h) (GT).…”

Section: Isolation Of G Castanea and In Vitro Inhibition Testsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ozone gas as a storage treatment to control Gnomoniopsis castanea, preserving chestnut quality

et al. 2019

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BACKGROUND Chestnuts are gluten‐free, low‐fat, cholesterol‐free products. Postharvest decay reduces chestnut shelf life and can cause severe economic losses. In this study we investigated the effect of ozone (O3) gaseous treatment on chestnut rot caused by Gnomoniopsis castanea and the quality parameters of chestnuts. RESULTS The results showed that ozone treatment (150 ppb during the day, and 300 ppb during the night) reduced the decay of chestnuts and had a fungistatic effect on isolates of G. castanea. The exposure of chestnuts to ozone did not alter weight losses, sugar content and titratable acidity. The concentration of total phenolics decreased during the storage period, both for treated and untreated nuts. However, after 150 days of treatment the polyphenol content of the chestnuts exposed to ozone was significantly higher than in control nuts. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggested that ozone is an appropriate and economical tool to maximize the quality of chestnut shelf life, enabling it to be stored for long periods. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry

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Does Gnomoniopsis castanea contribute to the natural biological control of chestnut gall wasp?

Cited by 31 publications

References 23 publications

Plant neighbour identity and invasive pathogen infection affect associational resistance to an invasive gall wasp

Plant neighbour identity and invasive pathogen infection affect associational resistance to an invasive gall wasp

Fungi associated with necrotic galls of <i>Dryocosmus kuriphilus</i> (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) in northern Spain

Ozone gas as a storage treatment to control Gnomoniopsis castanea, preserving chestnut quality

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