Articles
NEW NOTES ON THE BIOLOGY OF THE CHESTNUT FUNGUS GNOMONIOPSIS SP. AND ITS POSSIBLE USE AS A BIOCONTROL AGENT OF ORIENTAL CHESTNUT GALL WASP
Article number
1019_35
Pages
235 – 238
Language
English
Abstract
During 2009, a fungus belonging to the genus Gnomoniopsis was found associated with the necrosis of galls of Dryocosmus kuriphilus, the chestnut gall wasp.
The common observation of this phenomenon in chestnut orchards prompted us to evaluate the utilization of the fungus for biological control of gall wasp.
During 2011, experiments were conducted on young, five-year-old plants of Castanea sativa, situated in an orchard in central Italy.
Plants were sprayed with a Gnomoniopsis sp. conidial suspension and the extent of gall necrosis, as well as the mortality of D. kuriphilus, was monitored.
Preliminary results showed statistically significant differences between the galls inoculated with Gnomoniopsis sp. and the control treatment.
No significant differences in incidence of fruit rot were found between treated and control branches.
The common observation of this phenomenon in chestnut orchards prompted us to evaluate the utilization of the fungus for biological control of gall wasp.
During 2011, experiments were conducted on young, five-year-old plants of Castanea sativa, situated in an orchard in central Italy.
Plants were sprayed with a Gnomoniopsis sp. conidial suspension and the extent of gall necrosis, as well as the mortality of D. kuriphilus, was monitored.
Preliminary results showed statistically significant differences between the galls inoculated with Gnomoniopsis sp. and the control treatment.
No significant differences in incidence of fruit rot were found between treated and control branches.
Publication
Authors
A. Vannini, D. Martignoni, N. Bruni, A. Tomassini, M.P. Aleandri, A.M. Vettraino, R. Caccia, S. Speranza, B. Paparatti
Keywords
chestnut, Cynipidae, biological control, fungal endophytes, chestnut fruit necrosis
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