
Phytopathology
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Head: Dr. Daniel Rigling
We investigate plant-pathogen interactions in changing environments with a focus on pathogens of forest and ornamental woody plants. Diseases caused by plant pathogens significantly affect ecosystem services and biodiversity. Their impact is expected to increase, as global trade and climate change will facilitate the movement and establishment of invasive pathogens. We use genetic and epidemiological approaches to understand the biology of pathogen populations at different spatial and temporal scales including their responses to forest management and environmental change. Special emphasis is given to the dynamics and control of invasive quarantine organisms. To fulfil legal requirements when working with such pathogens, the group is operating special plant protection laboratories.
Our research provides the basis for pest risk analysis, diagnostics and management of plant diseases, such as the biological control of chestnut blight (Cryphonectria parasitica). Main outreach activities include supporting federal and cantonal authorities in the prevention and containment of quarantine pathogens (e.g. the sudden oak death pathogen, Phytophthora ramorum; pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus; pitch canker fungus, Gibberella circinata).
FURTHER INFORMATION
Staff
Phytopathology
teamleader, senior scientist | |
technical staff member, training supervisor | |
apprentice | |
apprentice | |
bachelor student | |
Temporary employee / Scientific staff member | |
Postdoc | |
lab technician | |
Visiting scientist | |
scientific staff member | |
technical staff member | |
scientific staff member | |
scientific staff member | |
PhD student guest | |
Postdoc | |
trainee | |
Temporary employee / Scientific staff member | |
visiting scientist | |
lab technician | |
lab technician |
Scientific publications
EFSA Panel on Plant Health (PLH); Bragard, C.; Baptista, P.; Chatzivassiliou, E.; Di Serio, F.; Miret, J.A.J.; Fejer Justesen, A.; MacLeod, A.; Magnusson, C.S.; Milonas, P.; Navas‐Cortes, J.A.; Parnell, S.; Potting, R.; Reignault, P.L.; Stefani, E.; Thulke, H.; Van der Werf, W.; Vicent Civera, A.; Yuen, J.; ... Gonthier, P., 2022: Commodity risk assessment of Acer palmatum plants grafted on Acer davidii from China. EFSA Journal, 20, 5: 7298 (262 pp.). doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2022.7298
Hamelin, R.C.; Bilodeau, G.J.; Heinzelmann, R.; Hrywkiw, K.; Capron, A.; Dort, E.; Dale, A.L.; Giroux, E.; Kus, S.; Carleson, N.C.; Grünwald, N.J.; Feau, N., 2022: Genomic biosurveillance detects a sexual hybrid in the sudden oak death pathogen. Communications Biology, 5, 1: 477 (8 pp.). doi: 10.1038/s42003-022-03394-w
Stroheker, S.; Ruffner, B.; Beenken, L., 2022: First report of Sirococcus tsugae on Atlas cedar in Switzerland. New Disease Reports, 45, 2: e12073 (2 pp.). doi: 10.1002/ndr2.12073
Tsykun, T.; Prospero, S.; Schoebel, C.N.; Rea, A.; Burgess, T.I., 2022: Global invasion history of the emerging plant pathogen Phytophthora multivora. BMC Genomics, 23: 153 (16 pp.). doi: 10.1186/s12864-022-08363-5
Stauber, L.; Croll, D.; Prospero, S., 2022: Temporal changes in pathogen diversity in a perennial plant–pathogen-hyperparasite system. Molecular Ecology, 31, 7: 2073-2088. doi: 10.1111/mec.16386
Sato, Y.; Shahi, S.; Telengech, P.; Hisano, S.; Cornejo, C.; Rigling, D.; Kondo, H.; Suzuki, N., 2022: A new tetra-segmented splipalmivirus with divided RdRP domains from Cryphonectria naterciae, a fungus found on chestnut and cork oak trees in Europe. Virus Research, 307: 198606 (11 pp.). doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2021.198606
EFSA Panel on Plant Health (PLH); Bragard, C.; Baptista, P.; Chatzivassiliou, E.; Di Serio, F.; Miret, J.A.J.; Fejer Justesen, A.; MacLeod, A.; Magnusson, C.S.; Milonas, P.; Navas‐Cortes, J.A.; Parnell, S.; Potting, R.; Reignault, P.L.; Stefani, E.; Thulke, H.; Van der Werf, W.; Civera, A.V.; Yuen, J.; ... Gonthier, P., 2022: Commodity risk assessment of bonsai plants from China consisting of Pinus parviflora grafted on Pinus thunbergii. EFSA Journal, 20, 2: 7077 (301 pp.). doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2022.7077
Franić, I.; Prospero, S.; Adamson, K.; Allan, E.; Attorre, F.; Auger-Rozenberg, M.A.; Augustin, S.; Avtzis, D.; Baert, W.; Barta, M.; Feddern, N.; Gossner, M.M.; Ruffner, B.; Eschen, R., 2022: Worldwide diversity of endophytic fungi and insects associated with dormant tree twigs. Scientific Data, 9, 1: 62 (9 pp.). doi: 10.1038/s41597-022-01162-3
Ćurković-Perica, M.; Ježić, M.; Rigling, D., 2022: Mycoviruses as antivirulence elements of fungal pathogens. In: Hurst, C.J. (eds), 2022: The biological role of a virus. Cham, Springer. 209-249. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-85395-2_7
Leigh, D.M.; Peranić, K.; Prospero, S.; Cornejo, C.; Crossed Dsignurković-Perica, M.; Kupper, Q.; Nuskern, L.; Rigling, D.; Jeić, M., 2021: Long-read sequencing reveals the evolutionary drivers of intra-host diversity across natural RNA mycovirus infections. Virus Evolution, 7, 2: 1-14. doi: 10.1093/ve/veab101
Stauber, L.; Badet, T.; Feurtey, A.; Prospero, S.; Croll, D., 2021: Emergence and diversification of a highly invasive chestnut pathogen lineage across southeastern Europe. eLife, 10: e56279 (27 pp.). doi: 10.7554/eLife.56279
Prospero, S.; Botella, L.; Santini, A.; Robin, C., 2021: Biological control of emerging forest diseases: How can we move from dreams to reality?. Forest Ecology and Management, 496: 119377 (13 pp.). doi: 10.1016/j.foreco.2021.119377
Ježić, M.; Schwarz, J.M.; Prospero, S.; Sotirovski, K.; Risteski, M.; Ćurković-Perica, M.; Nuskern, L.; Krstin, L.; Katanić, Z.; Maleničić, E.; Poljak, I.; Idžojtić, M.; Rigling, D., 2021: Temporal and spatial genetic population structure of Cryphonectria parasitica and its associated hypovirus across an invasive range of chestnut blight in Europe. Phytopathology, 111, 8: 1327-1337. doi: 10.1094/PHYTO-09-20-0405-R
Cornejo, C.; Hisano, S.; Bragança, H.; Suzuki, N.; Rigling, D., 2021: A new double-stranded RNA mycovirus in Cryphonectria naterciae is able to cross the species barrier and is deleterious to a new host. Journal of Fungi, 7, 10: 861 (18 pp.). doi: 10.3390/jof7100861
Prospero, S.; Gehring, E., 2021: Sfide passate e future: organismi nocivi e cambiamenti climatici. In: Moretti, M.; Moretti, G.; Conedera, M. (eds), 2021: Le selve castanili della Svizzera italiana. Aspetti storici, paesaggistici, ecologici e gestionali. Lugano, Società ticinese di scienze naturali; Museo cantonale di storia naturale. 193-211.
Rigling, D., 2021: Baumschwämme. In: 2021: St. Gallen, Naturschutzverein Stadt St. Gallen und Umgebung NVS. 28-32.
Rigling, D.; Robin, C.; Prospero, S., 2021: Mycovirus-mediated biological control. In: Bamford, D.H.; Zuckerman, M. (eds), 2021: Encyclopedia of virology. Amsterdam, Elsevier. 468-477. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-809633-8.21516-1
EFSA Panel on Plant Health (PLH); Bragard, C.; Dehnen‐Schmutz, K.; Di Serio, F.; Jacques, M.; Miret, J.A.J.; Fejer Justesen, A.; MacLeod, A.; Magnusson, C.S.; Milonas, P.; Navas‐Cortes, J.A.; Parnell, S.; Potting, R.; Reignault, P.L.; Thulke, H.; Van der Werf, W.; Civera, A.V.; Yuen, J.; Zappalà, L.; ... Gonthier, P., 2021: Commodity risk assessment of Juglans regia plants from Turkey. EFSA Journal, 19, 6: 6665 (99 pp.). doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6665
Die Erhebungen zum Vorkommen von besonders gefährlichen Schadorganismen für den Wald wurden 2020 gemäss dem neuen Pflanzengesundheitsrecht des Bundes (PGesV, PGesV-WBF-UVEK, VpM-BAFU) durchgeführt. Dabei wird neu zwischen prioritären Quarantäneorganismen, Quarantäneorganismen und geregelten Nicht-Quarantäneorganismen (GNQOs) unterschieden. Eine gezielte Gebietsüberwachung ist für prioritäre und weitere, überwachungspflichtige Quarantäneorganismen vorgesehen, während die GNQOs primär in den Jungpflanzenbetrieben überwacht werden. Zusätzlich werden Warenimporte mit Verpackungsholz kontrolliert und Verdachtsproben aus dem Meldewesen von Waldschutz Schweiz untersucht.
Cornejo, C.; Hauser, A.; Beenken, L.; Cech, T.; Rigling, D., 2021: Cryphonectria carpinicola sp. nov. Associated with hornbeam decline in Europe. Fungal Biology, 125, 5: 347-356. doi: 10.1016/j.funbio.2020.11.012
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Outreach publications
Auf der Maur, B.; Gross, A.; Queloz, V.; Prospero, S., 2022: Mal dell'inchiostro del castagno. Phytophthora × cambivora (Petri) Buisman (Famiglia: Peronosporaceae). Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands (Famiglia: Peronosporaceae). Schede informative sui Neomiceti. 5 p.
Auf der Maur, B.; Queloz, V.; Prospero, S.; Gross, A., 2022: Kernoviae-Buchensterben. Phytophthora kernoviae Brasier & S.A. Kirk (Familie: Peronosporaceae). Factsheet Neomyceten. 5 p.
Auf der Maur, B.; Gross, A.; Queloz, V.; Prospero, S., 2022: Tintenkrankheit der Edelkastanie.Phytophthora × cambivora (Petri) Buisman (Familie: Peronosporaceae), Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands (Familie: Peronosporaceae). Factsheet Neomyceten. 5 p.
Ruffner, B., 2021: Buchenschleimfluss. Wald und Holz, 102, 10: 17-19.
Britt, E.; Eisenring, M.; Prospero, S.; Perret-Gentil, A.; Dubach, V.; Gossner, M.; Rigling, D.; Queloz, V., 2021: Wird es Eschen in der Zukunft noch geben?. Wald und Holz, 9, 21: 16-19.
Auf der Maur, B.; Brännhage, J.; Prospero, S.; Gross, A., 2021: Plötzlicher Eichentod. Phytophthora ramorum Werres, De Cock & Man in 't Veld (Familie: Peronosporaceae). Factsheet Neomyceten. 4 p.
Auf der Maur, B.; Brännhage, J.; Gross, A.; Prospero, S., 2021: Wurzelhalsfäule der Erle. Phytophthora ×alni (Brasier & S.A. Kirk) Husson, Ioos & Marçais (Familie: Peronosporaceae). Phytophthora ×multiformis (Brasier & S.A. Kirk) Husson, Ioos & Frey (Familie: Peronosporaceae). Phy. Factsheet Neomyceten. 5 p.
Dubach, V.; Ruffner, B.; Schneider, S.; Stroheker, S., 2019: Schleimfluss an Bäumen. Wald und Holz, 100, 8: 44-46.
Prospero, S., 2019: Mal dell'inchiostro e cambiamenti climatici: una nuova sfida. Forestaviva, 74: 22-23.
Queloz, V.; Buser, C.; Dubach, V.; Hölling, D.; Meyer, J.B.; Schneider, S.; Prospero, S.; Cornejo, C.; Rigling, D., 2018: Überwachung von besonders gefährlichen Schadorganismen für den Wald – Jahresbericht 2017. 48 p.
Kamm, U.; Dubach, V.; Ruffner, B.; Meyer, J.B., 2018: Bakterien-Schleimfluss an Eichen im Zürcher Wald. Zürcher Wald, 27-28.
Il Servizio fitosanitario per il bosco svizzero è il servizio specializzato in questioni di protezione del bosco presso l’istituto WSL di Birmensdorf. Il servizio fornisce informazioni sugli attuali problemi forestali in Svizzera. Sulla base dei risultati emersi dalle consulenze e dai riscontri trasmessi dai servizi forestali cantonali, il Servizio fitosanitario per il bosco svizzero pubblica l’annuale Situazione fitosanitaria dei boschi svizzeri.
Le service spécialisé Protection de la forêt suisse (SPOI), basé au WSL à Birmensdorf, informe les milieux professionnels et le public sur l’actualité en matière de protection des forêts. Sa publication annuelle, Protection des forêts: Vue d’ensemble, résume ses échanges avec les services cantonaux forestiers.
Waldschutz Schweiz ist die Fachstelle für Waldschutzfragen an der WSL in Birmensdorf. Basierend auf den Resultaten aus der Beratung und den Rückmeldungen der kantonalen Forstdienste erstellt Waldschutz Schweiz den jährlichen Waldschutzüberblick.
Cornejo, C., 2018: Nouvelle maladie des pins en Europe. Forêt, 71, 5: 19-21.
Meyer, J.B.; Forster, B.; Schneider, S.; Ruffner, B., 2018: Bakterien-Schleimfluss bei Traubeneichen. Wald und Holz, 99, 3: 10-11.
Meyer, J.B.; Forster, B.; Schneider, S.; Ruffner, B., 2018: Suintement bactérien sur des chênes rouvres. Forêt, 71, 3: 3-4.
Il deperimento del frassino (o disseccamento dei germogli del frassino) è una grave malattia degli alberi causata da un fungo originario dell’Asia orientale. Allo stato attuale delle conoscenze non è ancora nota nessuna misura efficace contro questo patogeno.
Trapiello Vázquez, E.; Shoebel, C.N.; Rigling, D., 2017: Diversidad de hongos en fresno común (Fraxinus excelsior) y presencia de patógenos de esta especie forestal. Revista Montes, 130: 22-25.
20 from 62 publications