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Plant Biol (Stuttg) 2005; 7(6): 659-669
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-872943
Research Paper

Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart KG · New York

Beech Leaf Colonization by the Endophyte Apiognomonia errabunda Dramatically Depends on Light Exposure and Climatic Conditions

G. Bahnweg1 , W. Heller1 , S. Stich1 , C. Knappe1 , G. Betz1 , C. Heerdt2 , R. D. Kehr3 , D. Ernst1 , C. Langebartels1 , 6 , A. J. Nunn4 , J. Rothenburger1 , 7 , R. Schubert5 , 8 , P. Wallis1 , 9 , G. Müller-Starck5 , H. Werner2 , R. Matyssek4 , H. Sandermann Jr.1
  • 1GSF - National Research Centre for Environment and Health, Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
  • 2Technische Universität München, Chair of Bioclimatology, Department of Ecology, Am Hochanger 13, 85354 Freising, Germany
  • 3HAWK Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaft und Kunst, Fachhochschule Hildesheim/Holzminden/Göttingen, Fakultät Ressourcenmanagement, Büsgenweg 1 A, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
  • 4Technische Universität München, Chair of Ecophysiology of Plants, Department of Ecology, Am Hochanger 13, 85354 Freising, Germany
  • 5Technische Universität München, Department of Plant Sciences, Section of Forest Genetics, Am Hochanger 13, 85354 Freising, Germany
  • 6Present address: GSF - National Research Centre for Environment and Health, Scientific-Technical Department, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
  • 7Present address: Sanochemia Pharmazeutika AG, Landegger Straße 7, 2491 Neufeld, Austria
  • 8Present address: Biotechnology Group, University of Applied Sciences, Kuelzufer 2, 02763 Zittau, Germany
  • 9Present address: Department of Chemistry, Christopher Ingold Laboratories, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, UK
Further Information

Publication History

Received: May 9, 2005

Accepted: September 22, 2005

Publication Date:
02 January 2006 (online)

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Abstract

Ozone and light effects on endophytic colonization by Apiognomonia errabunda of adult beech trees (Fagus sylvatica) and their putative mediation by internal defence compounds were studied at the Kranzberg Forest free-air ozone fumigation site. A. errabunda colonization was quantified by “real-time PCR” (QPCR). A. errabunda-specific primers allowed detection without interference by DNA from European beech and several species of common genera of plant pathogenic fungi, such as Mycosphaerella, Alternaria, Botrytis, and Fusarium. Colonization levels of sun and shade leaves of European beech trees exposed either to ambient or twice ambient ozone regimes were determined. Colonization was significantly higher in shade compared to sun leaves. Ozone exhibited a marginally inhibitory effect on fungal colonization only in young leaves in 2002. The hot and dry summer of 2003 reduced fungal colonization dramatically, being more pronounced than ozone treatment or sun exposure. Levels of soluble and cell wall-bound phenolic compounds were approximately twice as high in sun than in shade leaves. Acylated flavonol 3-O-glycosides with putatively high UV‐B shielding effect were very low in shade canopy leaves. Ozone had only a minor influence on secondary metabolites in sun leaves. It slightly increased kaempferol 3-O-glucoside levels exclusively in shade leaves. The frequently prominent hydroxycinnamic acid derivative, chlorogenic acid, was tested for its growth inhibiting activity against Apiognomonia and showed an IC50 of approximately 8 mM. Appearance of Apiognomonia-related necroses strongly correlated with the occurrence of the stress metabolite, 3,3′,4,4′-tetramethoxybiphenyl. Infection success of Apiognomonia was highly dependent on light exposure, presumably affected by the endogenous levels of constitutive phenolic compounds. Ozone exerted only minor modulating effects, whereas climatic factors, such as pronounced heat periods and drought, were dramatically overriding.

Key words

European beech (Fagus sylvatica) - Apiognomonia errabunda - endophyte - “real-time PCR” - plant phenolics - sun and shade leaves - light - ozone - climate - precipitation.

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G. Bahnweg

GSF - National Research Centre for Environment and Health
Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology

Ingolstädter Landstraße 1

85764 Neuherberg

Germany

Email: bahnweg@gsf.de

Editor: H. Rennenberg