Phytotoxic metabolites produced by fungi involvedin cork oak decline

Diplodia corticola, anamorph ofBotryosphaeria corticolaPhillips, AlvesetLuque, andBiscognauxia mediterranea(De Not.) O. Kuntze (= Hypoxylon mediterraneum) have often been associated with serious decline phenomena, which have been affecting the cork oak forest in Italy and other Mediterranean countries for several years.Diplodia corticolais widespread in Sardinian oak forests, and can affect plants of different ages, inducing symptoms which include dieback, cankers and vascular necrosis. These studies may provide information which could be useful for understanding the chemistry and the biology governing the relationship between these fungi and their hosts. Further studies should aim to also evaluate the ecological role of these substances.