‘Le Crete 1’ and ‘Le Crete 2’: two newly patentedSeiridium cardinalecanker‐resistant cultivars ofCupressus sempervirens

Abstract

In the Mediterranean area, common cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) has traditionally been used as a multipurpose tree, for its symbolic and ornamental role, for its valuable timber, as well as for windbreaks and soil protection. The epidemic spread of the Seiridium cardinale canker has limited the use of this tree since the 1970s, inducing researchers to develop a breeding programme of cypress aimed at selecting canker-resistant lines for different uses and to support a flourishing trade of cypress plants. 'Le Crete 1' and 'Le Crete 2' described here are two new canker-resistant C. sempervirens varieties patented in 2010, selected through a 13-year assessment of their response to artificial inoculations and growth traits. Both are characterized by a rapid growth and by a columnar and fastigiated habit that confers them a notable ornamental effect. Preliminary observations showed also that both tend to produce yearly few microsporophylls and little pollen. 'Le Crete 2' was also selected for the high growth rate it maintained on heavy, clayey soils.

Strong Induction of Minor Terpenes in Italian Cypress, Cupressus sempervirens, in Response to Infection by the Fungus Seiridium cardinale

“…submitted)); 3) highly virulent (Hv, wound+infection with a more aggressive S. cardinale isolate); and 4) Wounded (wound only, without inoculation). Trees were inoculated following a standard procedure (Danti et al 2006(Danti et al , 2013, which consists of removing a disc of bark from the stem with a sterile cork borer of 4 mm diam and filling the wound with a plug of the same size of malt extract agar (MEA). This plug was taken from the margin of a colony of the fungus grown on MEA 2 % in the dark for 15 d at 25°C.…”

“…Results from a 40-year genetic improvement program have revealed a moderate variability in the response of some Mediterranean native and naturalized C. sempervirens populations to S. cardinale infections, with 1-2 % of trees being resistant. Several resistant genotypes have been selected, and some varieties have been patented and successfully commercialized (Danti et al 2006(Danti et al , 2013Panconesi and Raddi 1991).…”

Epidemiological History of Cypress Canker Disease in Source and Invasion Sites

“…During this period, more than 400 canker-resistant C. sempervirens genotypes were selected, including eight patented clonal varieties [28,62,63]. Four of them have been marketed since 1995, with about 30,000 patented cypresses sold each year by the nurseries which hold the license for production.…”

Strategies for Fast Multiplication and Conservation of Forest Trees by Somatic Embryogenesis and Cryopreservation: a Case Study with Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L.)

“…Moreover, common cypress is known to produce and release a huge amount of allergenic airborne pollen during winter and, due to its wide distribution, the prevalence of winter pollinosis has reached more than 20% in the past decade in central Italy (Sin et al, 2008;Caimmi et al, 2012). As a consequence, large-scale breeding programs started in the past to select for cankertolerant clones, leading to various patented varieties today available on the market (Panconesi and Raddi, 1991;Danti et al, 2006Danti et al, , 2013b, as well as more recently to select genotypes producing null or low amount of allergenic pollen.…”