Student Project Environmental influences on box blight epidemics

Calonectria pseudonaviculata and C. henricotiae are two recently differentiated fungal species responsible for box blight, a disease that threatens the Buxus genus. Infection can be introduced to gardens on new plants and is spread through the use of tools. The fungus survives on stem lesions and f...

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Main Authors: Lizzie Sharp, Clare Hurst, Jassy Draculic, Matthew Cromey
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 2020-02-01
Series:Sibbaldia
Online Access:https://journals.rbge.org.uk/rbgesib/article/view/287
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author Lizzie Sharp
Clare Hurst
Jassy Draculic
Matthew Cromey
author_facet Lizzie Sharp
Clare Hurst
Jassy Draculic
Matthew Cromey
author_sort Lizzie Sharp
collection DOAJ
description Calonectria pseudonaviculata and C. henricotiae are two recently differentiated fungal species responsible for box blight, a disease that threatens the Buxus genus. Infection can be introduced to gardens on new plants and is spread through the use of tools. The fungus survives on stem lesions and fallen leaves when spores are dispersed by rainsplash. In this study, 195 Calonectria UK isolates collected by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Advisory Service were identified to species level. Detached stem assays were performed to assess how long stem and leaf lesions remain infectious, and their sensitivity to fungicides. A survey was also carried out at three National Trust properties on the effect of clipping on box blight distribution and severity. It was found that C. henricotiae was only present in and after 2011. C. henricotiae is more thermotolerant, and the increase in prevalence may be a result of increasing temperature and longer dry spells in the UK. Sporulation could occur multiple times on both stem and leaf lesions in humid conditions, although spore production dropped markedly after six sporulation events. Fungicides were effective at preventing spore production on stem lesions. Long dry spells may also reduce Calonectria’s ability to sporulate, leading to limited box blight spread between plants.
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spelling doaj.art-06fe35d2e19848358124c0cd33663a3c2023-11-03T05:49:37ZengRoyal Botanic Garden EdinburghSibbaldia2513-92312020-02-011810.24823/Sibbaldia.2020.287Student Project Environmental influences on box blight epidemicsLizzie Sharp0Clare Hurst1Jassy Draculic2Matthew Cromey3University of CambridgeUniversity of East AngliaRoyal Horticultural SocietyRoyal Horticultural Society Calonectria pseudonaviculata and C. henricotiae are two recently differentiated fungal species responsible for box blight, a disease that threatens the Buxus genus. Infection can be introduced to gardens on new plants and is spread through the use of tools. The fungus survives on stem lesions and fallen leaves when spores are dispersed by rainsplash. In this study, 195 Calonectria UK isolates collected by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Advisory Service were identified to species level. Detached stem assays were performed to assess how long stem and leaf lesions remain infectious, and their sensitivity to fungicides. A survey was also carried out at three National Trust properties on the effect of clipping on box blight distribution and severity. It was found that C. henricotiae was only present in and after 2011. C. henricotiae is more thermotolerant, and the increase in prevalence may be a result of increasing temperature and longer dry spells in the UK. Sporulation could occur multiple times on both stem and leaf lesions in humid conditions, although spore production dropped markedly after six sporulation events. Fungicides were effective at preventing spore production on stem lesions. Long dry spells may also reduce Calonectria’s ability to sporulate, leading to limited box blight spread between plants. https://journals.rbge.org.uk/rbgesib/article/view/287
spellingShingle Lizzie Sharp
Clare Hurst
Jassy Draculic
Matthew Cromey
Student Project Environmental influences on box blight epidemics
Sibbaldia
title Student Project Environmental influences on box blight epidemics
title_full Student Project Environmental influences on box blight epidemics
title_fullStr Student Project Environmental influences on box blight epidemics
title_full_unstemmed Student Project Environmental influences on box blight epidemics
title_short Student Project Environmental influences on box blight epidemics
title_sort student project environmental influences on box blight epidemics
url https://journals.rbge.org.uk/rbgesib/article/view/287
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AT matthewcromey studentprojectenvironmentalinfluencesonboxblightepidemics