Program for chestnut blight biocontrol based on hypovirulence
Conference Paper
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Overview
abstract
Chestnut Blight is an introduced disease in Portugal associated
with virulent strains of the Asian fungus Cryphonectria parasitica
(Murril) Barr. The disease causes great economic losses and
presents a significant risk to the chestnut ecosystem. Eradication
efforts and cultural sanitary measures didn’t control the disease
and actually more than 10% of chestnut trees are blighted. A new
method based on hypovirulence was achieved and a program for
biological control of Chestnut Blight was implemented for field
extended application. The program is a transfer initiative that
encourages the application of Hypovirus CHV-1 strains as a
component of the integrated management of the disease.
Hypovirus CHV-1 strains were timely approved by national
authorities (Ministry of Agriculture-DGAV) and stakeholders and
schedules of field applications implemented. General
achievements and results of the program will be presented and
evaluated.
