Alnus glutinosa Threatened by Alder Phytophthora: A Histological Study of Roots

Abstract

Alder dieback remains a major problem in European alder stands and its spread continues to threaten their existence. The causal agent of this disease is the so-called alder Phytophthora species complex, which includes the hybrid Phytophthora ×alni and its parental species P. uniformis and P. ×multiformis. Little is known about the survival of these Phytophthora species in alder. The aim of our investigations was to find out whether, and if so where, the pathogen survives. The subject of these studies was alder roots. Therefore, artificial infection studies and histological studies with P. ×alni and P. uniformis were carried out on seedlings of black alder (Alnus glutinosa). These histological studies revealed oogonia and oospores of P. ×alni and P. uniformis in different parts of the root tissue.