New formulation and delivery method of Cryphonectria parasitica for biological control of chestnut blight

This study aimed to develop a new formulation of Cryphonectria parasitica hypovirulent mycelium suitable for inoculations of tall trees from the ground. Cryphonectria parasitica hypovirulent strains are widely used for biological control of chestnut blight. However, it is often inconsistent and ineffective not only for biological reasons but also because the current manual application of hypovirulent strains on adult plants is difficult, time-consuming and expensive. Here, we propose an improved formulation and more effective mode of application of hypovirulent strains, which could boost chestnut blight biocontrol.

The Cp 4.2H hypovirulent strain was formulated as mycelium discs with polyethylene glycol and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, loaded into lead-free pellets that are used as carriers to inoculate cankers on chestnut stems by shooting. The formulation of mycelium did not hamper its viability which was stable, with an estimated shelf life of 72 days at 6 ± 1°C. The inoculum effectiveness was confirmed ex planta and in planta in a small-scale pilot study in field, where formulated mycelium discs of hypovirulent strain Cp 4.2H were inoculated by airgun shot method into the chestnut bark. In planta, Cp 4.2H was recovered in 37% of bark samples taken around the inoculated points 1 year after the treatment.

We demonstrated that the proposed airgun shooting inoculation method of C. parasitica hypovirulent strain formulated as mycelium discs is suitable for treatment of adult chestnut trees.

The proposed method could be a valid alternative to the traditional manual technique of chestnut biocontrol. The main advantages are the cost-effectiveness and the ease to treat high-positioned, otherwise unreachable cankers both in orchards and forests.