News from the Phytopathology group ¶ 12.02.2026 - Group retreat We coordinated the coming year and had a workshop on how we can improve our cohabitation in a open-space office and how to consider cultural differences in our daily team life. 26.01.2026 - New publication In this joint study with colleagues from Croatia and North Macedonia, we tested the efficacy of natural hypovirulence in controlling chestnut blight in the field. Results are very positive for Europe.
Old News - 2025 ¶ 01.12.2025 - New factsheet Sustainable plant selection reduces the risk of infection with Phytophthora ramorum. In collaboration with the Federal Office for the Environment, the CIC Forest Protection Group and JardinSuisse. 09.10.2025 - New publication A new method for detection and monitoring of emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis). 13.08.2025 - 6th International Mycovirus Symposium, Helsinki Carolina attended the 6th International Mycovirus Symposium in Helsinki. May - June 2025 - Start of two new PostDocs In May and June, two new PostDocs took up their work in our group. They are motivated to start their projects – welcome to Ever and Lenin and enjoy your start! 19.05.2025 - New publication We characterized seed mycobiomes in eleven different host trees and how the use of different assessment methods influenced diversity and composition. 17.03.2025 - DiveInBiome KickOff in Croatia Simone, Ana, and Iva met with Croatian project partners in Zagreb to launch the new project DiveInBiome. 19.02.2025 - New publication Find out how a native fungus and an invasive pathogen can have a synergistic negative effect on tree health and stability. 15.01.2025 - We welcome Deniz Çakar Deniz, a PostDoc from Türkiye, will work with us for 6 months on the fungus Gnomoniopsis castaneae, the emerging causal agent of chestnut brown rot.
Old news - 2024 ¶ 15.11.2024 - New publication Our new method for an economic and reliable distinction of Armillaria mellea, A. ostoyae and other European Armillaria species. 13.11.2024 - IFQRG-21 Meeting in Rome Iva and Jana took part in the annual meeting of the International Forest Quarantine Research group at the FAO building in Rome. 03.06.2024 - Goodbye Wajeeha …. and welcome Giovanna! After more than three years, we say goodbye to Wajeeha Shamsi and at the same time welcome Giovanna Lanzavecchia to the group. 14.05.2024 - TreeFunAZ supported by SNF! The SNF has approved the funding of the cross-border research project TreeFunAZ between our group and the Institute of Baku, Azerbaidjan. 25.04.2024 - Visits in March and April In March and April the Phytopathology Group was visited by Dr Mireia Gomez-Gallego and Dr Diana Marčiulynienė. 22.04.2024 – Historical rarities Our culture collection is home to real treasures, such as the 100-year-old specimen of Cryphonectria naterciae and many other tree-parasitic fungi. 01.03.2024 - New publication Explore the diversity and distribution of Phytophthora species in Swiss waters - a surprising diversity in a hidden habitat for Phytophthora. 29.02.2024 - Visit by Alberto Santini Visit by Alberto Santini, Research Director at Italian National Research Council (CNR). 13.02.2024 - New publication Our newest product: a deep and fascinating dive into the RNA virome of the tree pathogen Armillaria.
Old News - 2023 ¶ 29.12.2023 - New publication Discover more about the most recent findings on biosecurity risks of international forest tree seed movements and associated fungal pathogens! 06.12.2023 - PHP group retreat We just wrapped up our first-ever group retreat! It was a day filled with bonding, brainstorming and fun. Stay tuned for the amazing future projects.
