Giorgio Maresi

Biological control and management of chestnut diseases

Chestnut blight and ink diseases caused, respectively, by Cryphonectria parasitica and Phytophthora cambivora and P. cinnamomi, are revised. The main strategies for efficient biological control and management are discussed, considering their appearence, symptomatology, epidemics and the actual situation. The types of cankers of chestnut blight are shown, as well as the characters of the different types of infection caused by C. parasitica. The evolution of the diseases and the spread and effectiveness of hypovirulence traits are revised, considering the morphology, physiology, presence and transmission of dsRNA. Chestnut resistance, and the role of environmental and other ecological factors in ink disease, including the action of the soil microflora, are discussed. The role of silviculture and the evaluation of biological control strategies for blight and ink disease management are also revised. The improvement of the management of chestnut disease needs a better understanding of the ecological dynamic of chestnut ecosystems. An holistic approach including all the factors involved in the chestnut trees ecology is proposed in planning the management of such ecosystems and in undertaking the best measures of conservation and improvement.