Detection of Airborne Inoculum of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus: The Causal Agent of Ash Dieback

Abstract

The inoculum of H. fraxineus consists mainly of ascospores released from apothecia which are growing on fallen leaves infected during the previous year. The ascospores can be detected in various manners due to their high concentration in the air during the main sporulation season, which corresponds to astronomic summer. This methodology is focused on one of the methods which have been successfully used. It employs a cheap, but highly efficient rotating arm air sampler and a specific quantitative real-time PCR method for the quantification of the air samples. The methodology is accompanied by lots of detailed theoretical and practical notes for its smooth application, including mentioning other alternatives.