Luchi Nicola

My main research activity focuses on the study of the biology, epidemiology and diagnostics of phytopathogenic fungi that cause diseases on forest, ornamental and urban plant species.
Through the use of molecular markers, I develop and validate new protocols for the early diagnosis with both laboratory and portable field instruments. Among the molecular techniques mainly used: PCR, real-time PCR (qPCR), High-resolution melting analysis (HRMA) and Loop-mediated isothermal AMPlification (LAMP).

I’m also interested in the following topics: interactions between abiotic stresses and diseases in forest trees, with particular focus on latent pathogens (Botryosphaeriaceae) which establish asymptomatic associations with their hosts; plant-pathogen interactions through the analysis of transcripts; genetic variability of fungal pathogen populations of forest trees; systemic induced resistance (SIR) in conifers caused by infections of crown and root pathogens.

During my career I studied the biology of several woody plant diseases – caused by invasive and native pathogens – including: shoot blight and cankers of conifers (Diplodia pinea, Caliciopsis spp., Fusarium circinatum); canker stain of plane (Ceratocystis platani); root disease in nursery and in forest (Phytophthora spp.); conifer root rot (Heterobasidion annosum s.l.); ash dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus).