Drought Stress Can Induce the Pathogenicity of Cryptostroma corticale, the Causal Agent of Sooty Bark Disease of Sycamore Maple

Reports of sooty bark disease maples caused by the fungus Cryptostroma corticale have recently been emerging from across Europe. The aims our study were to describe first report in Slovenia, determine pathogenicity C. corticale, confirm optimum temperature for growth fungus, and mass loss Acer pseudoplatanus wood inoculated corticale. We confirmed presence on A. via morphological molecular analysis. optimal was measured vitro potato dextrose agar determined occur at 25 °C. Pathogenicity tests performed 30 saplings under two treatments, humid drought stress, pathogenic both treatments. mean length lesions discoloration drought-stressed significantly greater than that treatment. Re-isolations successful all saplings, thus Koch’s postulates confirmed. mini-block test a period 10 weeks observed as minimal. Based results, we conclude is weak opportunistic pathogen most likely expresses itself intensively hot dry conditions.