Duplex real-time PCR assay for the simultaneous detection of Ophiostoma novo-ulmi and Geosmithia spp. in elm wood and insect vectors

Dutch elm disease (DED) is a destructive tracheomycosis caused by Ophiostoma novo-ulmi, an ascomycete probably originating in East-Asia that is devastating natural elm populations throughout Europe, North America and Asia. The fungus is mainly spread by elm bark beetles that complete their life cycle between healthy and diseased elms. Recently, it has been highlighted that some fungi of the genus Geosmithia, which are similarly well associated with bark beetles, seem to also play a role in the DED pathosystem acting as mycoparasites of O. novo-ulmi. Although some relationship between the fungi... Mehr ...