title: Sweets for the foe - effects of nonstructural carbohydrates on the susceptibility of Quercus robur against Phytophthora quercina.
abstract: The root-rot pathogen Phytophthora quercina is a key determinant of oak decline in Europe. The susceptibility of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) to this pathogen has been hypothesized to depend on the carbon availability in roots as an essential resource for defense. Microcuttings of Q. robur undergo an alternating rhythm of root and shoot growth. Inoculation of mycorrhizal (Piloderma croceum) and nonmycorrhizal oak roots with P. quercina was performed during both growth phases, that is, root flush (RF) and shoot flush (SF). Photosynthetic and morphological responses as well as concentrations of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) were analyzed. Infection success was quantified by the presence of pathogen DNA in roots. Concentrations of NSC in roots depended on the alternating root/shoot growth rhythm, being high and low during RF and SF, respectively. Infection success was high during RF and low during SF, resulting in a significantly positive correlation between pathogen DNA and NSC concentration in roots, contrary to the hypothesis. The alternating growth of roots and shoots plays a crucial role for the susceptibility of lateral roots to the pathogen. NSC availability in oak roots has to be considered as a benchmark for susceptibility rather than resistance against P. quercina.
authors.affiliation: Ecophysiology of Plants, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354, Freising, Germany.|Section Pathology of Woody Plants, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354, Freising, Germany.
authors.forename: Oguzhan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Angay
authors.affiliation: Section Pathology of Woody Plants, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354, Freising, Germany.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fleischmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil Ecology, UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Theodor-Lieser-Strasse 4, Halle, Germany.
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Recht
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil Ecology, UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Theodor-Lieser-Strasse 4, Halle, Germany.|Department of Community Ecology, UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Enviromental Research, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 4, 06120, Halle/Saale, Germany.|German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Herrmann
authors.affiliation: Ecophysiology of Plants, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354, Freising, Germany.
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Matyssek
authors.affiliation: Section Pathology of Woody Plants, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354, Freising, Germany.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Oßwald
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil Ecology, UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Theodor-Lieser-Strasse 4, Halle, Germany.|German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.|Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Johannisallee 21-23, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Buscot
authors.affiliation: Ecophysiology of Plants, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354, Freising, Germany.
authors.forename: Thorsten E E
authors.initials: TEE
authors.lastname: Grams
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D045332:Photosystem II Protein Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D010838:Phytophthora / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D029963:Quercus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology*; D012995:Solubility; D013213:Starch / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002241:Carbohydrates; D045332:Photosystem II Protein Complex; D013213:Starch; D004247:DNA
keywords: Piloderma croceum; multitrophic interactions; mycorrhiza; nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC); pathogen; pedunculate oak; root; starch; sugar