IRNASA-CSIC

Results in MycoControl and MycoForestry

Multi-factor causes of Oak decline: study of bacterial microbiome of holm oak trees

  • The metagenomics and culturomics study of trees affected by La Seca disease showed that a reduction in microbial diversity was observed in diseased trees with respect to healthy trees
  • Bacillus was the most abundant bacterial genus isolated from the inner of tree tissues
  • Proteobacteria was the most abundant phylum in diseased trees bacteriome
  • Also, the bacterial pathogens already described as causal agents of oak decline have been found in La Alamedilla in samples of diseased holm oak trees: Gibbsiella quecinecans and Lonsdalea iberica
  • Also, other bacteria not yet reported as involved in La Seca disease have been found in tissues of diseased trees, which need further investigation

Trials in forests: natural and biocontrol measures against forest pests

  • The interception traps installed in Valdelosa for monitoring and control of Coraebus undatus were not efficient
  • The pheromone traps installed in Cubo de don Sancho for monitoring and control of Cerambyx welensii yielded very few captures (less than 4 captures/week) in the three years monitored
  • The biodiversity boxes installed in Valdelosa and Cubo de Don Sancho as an additional natural biocontrol strategy yielded rests of insectivorous birds, bats and predatory/pollinators hymenoptera in the two years monitored, which suggest them to be efficient in pests control, and this can explain the low captures obtained in the pheromone traps in Cubo de don Sancho

Ground level study of tree health status in Spanish demo sites

  • At the final stage of the project, tree diameter and height remained relatively consistent, with a slight increase observed towards the end of the project.
  • The number of bleeds and galleries remained low throughout the project.
  • Crown mortality decreased across all demo sites, with a significant reduction of up to 64% observed in El Cubo de Don Sancho.
  • The most significant improvement was seen in crown defoliation, with remarkable decreases recorded: 30.1% in La Alamedilla, 45.8% in Linares de Riofrío, 16.1% in Valdelosa, and an outstanding 70.8% decrease in El Cubo de Don Sancho.
  • Physiological assessments, including chlorophyll content and anthocyanins, showed significant changes, indicating enhanced tree vitality.
  • Visual Observations: Visual observations supported the overall improvement in tree health.
  • The ground level study at the end of the project suggests that the combined strategies implemented in the Mycorestore project have significantly enhanced tree health, with an average 32% improvement observed for diseased trees.

Soil microbiology study through PLFAs in Spanish demo sites

  • PLFA profiling is a valuable tool for assessing soil microbial communities.
  • The PERMANOVA analysis showed that time of sampling was consistently a significant factor influencing microbial community structure.
  • In some cases, the health status of trees also affected microbial communities, suggesting a potential link between tree health and soil microbial composition, for example in El Cubo de Don Sancho and Valdelosa.
  • Overall, PLFA profiling provides valuable insights into soil microbiota dynamics, which can have implications for ecosystem health and management.