Search for pathogenesis related genes in Pinus pinaster Ait. as a goal towards understanding infection by the fungus Lophodermium seditiosum

Abstract

Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) is amongst the most relevant forest species in SW Europe. It occupies 29% of the total forest area in Portugal, but its distribution has diminuished by 26% in the past 25 years. The genus Lophodermium comprises several species of fungi known to intervene in the natural decomposition process of pine needles. Amongst these species, only L. seditiosum is known to be pathogenic, as it is able to infect healthy needles in young pine populations, spreading from stomata and leading to the death of the needle (needle cast disease). The disease, by attacking young plants, ultimately leads to two main events: on the one hand, it prevents the lack of self regeneration in natural populations, also acting as an agent for the complete destruction of pine nurseries. The purpose of our study is to understand the nature of the infection of P. pinaster by L. seditiosum at both a physiologycal and molecular level.