Next Article in Journal
Identification of Nigrospora oryzae Causing Leaf Spot Disease in Tomato and Screening of Its Potential Antagonistic Bacteria
Previous Article in Journal
Advances in Diversity, Evolutionary Dynamics and Biotechnological Potential of Restriction-Modification Systems
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Microorganisms
Volume 13
Issue 5
10.3390/microorganisms13051127
microorganisms-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Review

Acute Oak Decline-Associated Bacteria: An Emerging Worldwide Threat to Forests

by
Alessandro Bene
1,
Marzia Vergine
1,*,
Giambattista Carluccio
1,
Letizia Portaccio
1,
Angelo Giovanni Delle Donne
2,
Luigi De Bellis
1,3,* and
Andrea Luvisi
1
1
Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
2
Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Section Osservatorio Fitosanitario, 70125 Bari, Italy
3
National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Microorganisms 2025, 13(5), 1127; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13051127
Submission received: 14 April 2025 / Revised: 5 May 2025 / Accepted: 12 May 2025 / Published: 14 May 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Microbe Interactions)
Browse Figures
Versions Notes

Abstract

Acute oak decline (AOD) is a multifactorial disease that affects European oaks and represents a growing threat to forests. The disease results from a complex interaction between biotic and abiotic factors: the various environmental stresses, which vary depending on the area in question, and generally increased by climate change, predispose trees to attack by opportunistic pathogens. Among them, we focused on a bacterial consortium associated with AOD, consisting mainly of Brenneria goodwinii, Gibbsiella quercinecans, Rahnella victoriana, and Lonsdalea britannica, which produce degrading enzymes that contribute to phloem necrosis and the development of stem bleeds and bark cracks. However, the role of other pathogens, such as fungi, cannot be ruled out, but instead could be contributory. The potential involvement of xylophagous insects is also being studied, particularly Agrilus biguttatus, which, although, frequently associated with the disease, has not been conclusively demonstrated to act as an active vector of the bacteria. Currently, disease management requires integrated approaches, including monitoring and other forestry strategies to increase forest resilience. Given the phenomenon’s complexity and the risk of the future expansion of that bacterial consortium, further research is necessary to understand the dynamics and to develop effective containment strategies of AOD-associated bacteria.
Keywords: acute oak decline; Brenneria goodwinii; Gibbsiella quercinecans; Quercus spp. acute oak decline; Brenneria goodwinii; Gibbsiella quercinecans; Quercus spp.

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Bene, A.; Vergine, M.; Carluccio, G.; Portaccio, L.; Delle Donne, A.G.; De Bellis, L.; Luvisi, A. Acute Oak Decline-Associated Bacteria: An Emerging Worldwide Threat to Forests. Microorganisms 2025, 13, 1127. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13051127

AMA Style

Bene A, Vergine M, Carluccio G, Portaccio L, Delle Donne AG, De Bellis L, Luvisi A. Acute Oak Decline-Associated Bacteria: An Emerging Worldwide Threat to Forests. Microorganisms. 2025; 13(5):1127. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13051127

Chicago/Turabian Style

Bene, Alessandro, Marzia Vergine, Giambattista Carluccio, Letizia Portaccio, Angelo Giovanni Delle Donne, Luigi De Bellis, and Andrea Luvisi. 2025. "Acute Oak Decline-Associated Bacteria: An Emerging Worldwide Threat to Forests" Microorganisms 13, no. 5: 1127. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13051127

APA Style

Bene, A., Vergine, M., Carluccio, G., Portaccio, L., Delle Donne, A. G., De Bellis, L., & Luvisi, A. (2025). Acute Oak Decline-Associated Bacteria: An Emerging Worldwide Threat to Forests. Microorganisms, 13(5), 1127. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13051127

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop