Analyzing Ash Leaf-Colonizing Fungal Communities for Their Biological Control of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus.

ABSTRACT: The invasive ascomycete Hymenoscyphus fraxineus has been threatening Fraxinus excelsior populations throughout Europe for over two decades. Since the infection and first colonization by the pathogen occurs in leaves, leaf-colonizing microorganisms have been discussed as a barrier and as possible biocontrol agents against the disease. To identify fungal groups with health-supporting potential, we compared the fungal microbiota of compound leaves from susceptible and tolerant ash trees in four ash stands with high H. fraxineus exposure. The fungal communities were analyzed both culture-independently by ITS2 amplicon sequencing and by the taxonomic classification of 1,704 isolates using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TO

SUBMITTER: Becker R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7649789 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature