Environmental regulation of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus apothecia development

Combes, Matt, Boddy, Lynne ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1845-6738 and Webber, Joan 2025. Environmental regulation of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus apothecia development. Fungal Ecology Item availability restricted.

	PDF - Accepted Post-Print Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (5MB)
	PDF - Supplemental Material Restricted to Repository staff only Download (748kB)
	PDF (Provisional file) - Accepted Post-Print Version Download (17kB)

Abstract

Ash dieback, incited by Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, is causing mortality of ash across Europe. The pathogen colonises hosts via ascospores that are ejected from apothecia formed on ash leaf rachises, but information is lacking on the environmental factors that affect apothecia formation. This study, undertaken in England and Wales during summer 2018 and 2019, monitored the influence of temperature, relative humidity, ground cover, and canopy openness on apothecia development. Additionally, apothecia were monitored in the laboratory by incubating infected ash rachises at 4°C, 10°C, 15°C and 20°C, and then moving to 18-21°C to assess how earlier incubation temperatures influenced subsequent apothecia formation. In the field, temperature had a positive effect on apothecia development which was amplified as relative humidity and canopy openness increased; ground cover associated with greater moisture also enhanced apothecia development. Laboratory investigations indicated a threshold temperature for apothecia formation of ~10°C, with pre-incubation temperature influencing both the rate and probability of apothecia development.

Item Type:	Article
Status:	In Press
Schools:	Schools > Biosciences
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	1754-5048
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	26 September 2025
Date of Acceptance:	11 September 2025
Last Modified:	29 Sep 2025 11:38
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/181351

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item