Effect of water stress on infection by species of honey fungus (Armillaria mellea and A. gallica)

Popoola, T.O.S. and Fox, R.T.V. (2003) Effect of water stress on infection by species of honey fungus (Armillaria mellea and A. gallica). Arboricultural Journal, 27 (1). pp. 139-154.

Abstract/Summary

Isolates of Armillaria mellea and A. gallica that differed in virulence to healthy blackcurrant, strawberry, Lawson cypress and privet were used to inoculate plants exposed to different watering regimes. Host plants from which water had either been withheld or their roots kept constantly flooded with water, both showed increased susceptibility compared to those plants, which had been watered regularly. At the end of the period of stress, roots from randomly selected plants from each treatment were harvested. Following chemical analysis of the roots for protein, lipids, and carbohydrates including starch, in vitro assays were carried out with these substances. The increased amounts of these nutrients in both groups of stressed plants are sufficient to stimulate the growth of both A. mellea and A. gallica and enhance their virulence.