Research project Phytosanitary status and epidemiology of beech leaf disease in Belgium
General introduction
BLD, a beech leaf disease that has been affecting beech trees in the US and Canada since the 2010s, does not appear to be present on Belgian territory. This is the most striking result of NEMAFAGUS. This Euphresco research project came after the heavy waves of infection in North American beech forests and parks. It is the leaf nematode Litylenchus crenatae subsp. Mccannii that causes BLD, in both American beech (Fagus grandifolia) and European beech (F. sylvatica). The latter species is the dominant beech species in Belgium. The goal of European nematologists, including those from ILVO, was to study the pathogen and monitor its possible presence in our regions.
Research approach
Together with a number of volunteer citizens, the project partners collected a large number of samples of beech (leaves) from Flemish and Walloon forests, parks and nurseries that showed potentially suspicious symptoms. ILVO mapped the entire microbial community of the collected (a)symptomatic leaves via next generation sequencing (NGS). The nematode in question was not found anywhere. What did cause the of symptoms remained a mystery in some cases. Controlled tests were also done with the nematode: attempts were made to place them in culture on beech plantlets, root slices, callus tissue and fungal plates to determine susceptibility.
Relevance/Valorization
This project was part of the larger Euphresco project FAGUSTAT with 6 partner countries. In none of these countries was BLD found on samples. Through knowledge building, this project facilitates adequate regulation and early detection of BLD so that the possible introduction and spread of beech leaf disease (BLD)in Europe can be better prevented. The NEMAFAGUS researchers have also ensured that public green services, arboreta and the ornamental plant sector are well informed about the new beech disease.
Financing
FOD Volksgezondheid, Veiligheid van de voedselketen en Leefmilieu
