37-2018 Quest for an alternative, environment-friendly control method for charcoal rot fungus: mycoviruses

In this project we propose to look for innovative and environment-friendly methods. The project is based on the premise that certain mycoviruses (viruses infecting fungi) can seriously affect/reduce pathogenicity of their hosts - the effect termed “hypovirulence”. These mild isolates of fungi are then used to outcompete more aggressive (pathogenic) isolates in certain environments (soils) and reduce effects of the disease. This strategy was successfully applied in the control of chestnut blight disease in Europe and can be potentially applied to any other fungus.