Variation in properties of Phlebiopsis gigantea related to biocontrol against infection by Heterobasidion spp. in Norway spruce stumps

The properties of 64 heterokaryotic strains of Phlebiopsis gigantea, isolated mostly from Norway spruce stumps, were tested for asexual spore production, growth rate and competitive ability against Heterobasidion spp. on agar medium, and for growth rate in spruce wood. Eighteen isolates were also tested for the efficacy of control against Heterobasidion spp. in stem pieces of spruce. The results revealed high variation in traits between different P. gigantea isolates. The efficacy of control against Heterobasidion spp. and the growth rate in spruce wood were closely related to each other (r = 0.727, p < 0.001). These preliminary tests indicate that the growth rate of a P. gigantea strain in spruce wood is the most important characteristic determining its efficiency in controlling the infection and spread of Heterobasidion spp. in spruce stumps.     

Genetic variation of the resin top fungus in Finland as determined by random amplified microsatellites (RAMS)

The analysis of random amplified microsatellite (RAMS) markers among aecia of the causal agent of the resin top disease (Peridermium pini) on Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) suggested that the genetic variation between the populations of this rust fungus is low in Finland. The method used allowed the identification of heterozygotic aecia in two loci, where the degree of heterozygosity was, however, low. The RAMS patterns of the Finnish aeciospores, other aeciospores from Thetford, UK and Cronartium flaccidum from Italy were highly similar suggesting that the autoecious and heteroecious forms of these rust fungi would be genetically closely related.     

Gremmeniella abietina types cannot be distinguished using ascospore morphology

Twenty‐one Gremmeniella abietina var. abietina type A and 12 type B samples with ripened apothecia were collected in Sweden and Finland. Morphological dimensions of the ascospores were determined with an image analyser (Leica Qwin). Measured variables included length, width, perimeter and roundness of ascospores. Variations in these variables overlapped between the two types. Type A ascospores were significantly shorter (mean length 15.8 μm) than the type B ascospores (mean length 17.1 μm). Type A ascospores were also significantly rounder than type B ascospores. Differences between these morphological characters were, however, too small to distinguish the types as separate taxonomical species. Round‐pointed and acute ascospores were found in the same apothecium but in different asci. According to the hypervariable marker GAAA1000, both round‐pointed and acute ascospores originated from the same two parents in normal segregation.     

Genetic diversity of Dothistroma septosporum in Estonia, Finland and Czech Republic

Dothistroma needle blight is one of the most damaging foliage diseases in pine plantations worldwide. Recently it has become more aggressive in native pine stands in northern America and has been found frequently on Scots pine stands in northern Europe. In Estonia and Finland it was noticed for the first time in 2006 and 2008, respectively and in Central Europe in the late 1990s. We show considerable diversity in allele patterns of several microsatellite loci in populations of these countries which does not support the hypothesis of a recent introduction. We investigated 104 isolates by using eight microsatellite loci. Estonian and Finnish isolates originated from P. sylvestris and those from the Czech Republic from six species of Pinus spp. and Pseudotsuga menziesii. The genetic diversity was considerable in all three populations, and did not differ significantly between populations. The results suggest slight migration from south to north, even if no similar haplotypes were found between any of the populations. Both, the pairwise genetic differentiation and Nei’s genetic distance reflected geographic distances between the populations. Differentiation between the studied populations of D. septosporum was low but statistically significant. Only 6 % of the genetic variation was due to differences between populations. The high haplotypic diversity, low number of identical haplotypes, and low degree of genetic disequilibrium in all investigated populations suggested occurrence of sexual proliferation in this area, although the sexual state of the fungus has not been recorded in Estonia and Finland. The high diversity may suggest a long presence of D. septosporum in northern Europe, or alternatively, its recent introduction as a massive inoculum from an unknown direction.     

Isolation and structure elucidation of procyanidin oligomers from Saskatoon berries (Amelanchier alnifolia)

Proanthocyanidin oligomers with different degrees of polymerization were isolated from Saskatoon berries (Amelanchier alnifolia) by means of gel adsorption and normal-phase liquid chromatography. The proanthocyanidins were identified using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and thiolytic degradation coupled with reversed-phase liquid chromatography. The results established that Saskatoon berries contain proanthocyanidins from dimers through heptamers and higher polymers. Saskatoon proanthocyanidins are essentially of procyanidin type, consisting mainly of epicatechin units linked by B-type bonds. The simple procyanidin profile of Saskatoon berries allowed the procyanidins to be separated precisely according to their degrees of polymerization. In the future they can be used as standard compounds for qualitative and quantitative analysis of procyanidins as well as for elucidation of the biological activities of proanthocyanidins.     

Alder rust,Melampsoridium hiratsukanum Ito,identified from Wales,UK and British Columbia,Canada

An epidemic rust, Melampsoridium hiratsukanum, originating from East Asia has spread to Europe over the last two decades. We report the first observation of this rust in the British Isles on leaves of Alnus incana and A. glutinosa. In addition to M. hiratsukanum, a native M. betulinum–like rust co‐occurred on the same leaves as a mixed infection. We also confirm that a rust on A. rubra in Western Canada is identical to M. hiratsukanum present in East Asia and Europe.     

Linking the gaps between conservation research and conservation management of rare dipterocarps: A case study of Shorea lumutensis

To conserve a rare plant, conservation programs must be guided by the biological attributes of the species. What constitutes the most critical biological information for plant conservation has been the issue of discussion for the last 30 years. Most scientists promote an approach that is either ecological or genetic in emphasis. Ecological and genetic processes will often interact synergistically to influence the population viability and to determine the persistence of populations in the long run. Consequently, conservation management of plant species, in addition to ecological information, requires a robust understanding of underlying genetic processes as well as the variation within and between populations. Conservation has a cost and the resources available for conservation programs are always limited. Therefore, conservation management strategies should not only be scientifically justified but also practical in terms of resource availability. Shorea lumutensis is a rare and endemic dipterocarp in Peninsular Malaysia. A comprehensive research activity was initiated to assess the population ecology and population genetics of S. lumutensis to elucidate specific ecological and genetic requirements and subsequently to set conservation strategies and priorities. This paper is apparently the first attempt at applying both the ecological and genetic approaches into conservation management of a rare dipterocarp. In addition, this paper also attempts to link the gaps between conservation research and conservation management in a realistic manner. It is our hope that this study will serve as a model for the study of other rare dipterocarps which should be given priority for conservation.     

Genetic variation of Heterobasidion abietinum in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean Basin

Heterobasidion abietinum causes root and butt rot on Abies species occurring in central Europe and the Mediterranean Basin in a distribution extending from Spain in the west to Turkey and Caucasia in the east. To investigate the genetic diversity within H. abietinum, 95 isolates from different regions were analysed with 61 polymorphic molecular markers. The markers showed genetic differentiation amongst the H. abietinum populations. The most diversified population is that on A. pinsapo in southern Spain, which is isolated from gene flow with other populations. Lower but still significant differences were found amongst other European populations. Isolates from Turkey showed little diversification compared with the south European isolates from east of the Alps. The genetic structure of the H. abietinum populations in relation to postglacial recolonization of Abies is discussed.     

First record of Chalara fraxinea in Finland and genetic variation among isolates sampled from Åland,mainland Finland,Estonia and Latvia

We have isolated and confirmed the identification of ash dieback fungus (Chalara fraxinea, teleomorph Hymenoscyphus albidus) for the first time in Finland. In a preliminary analysis, considerable amount of genetic variation was detected among 20 Finnish (Åland and mainland Finland), one Latvian and 11 Estonian isolates, analysed by random amplified microsatellite (RAMS) markers.     

High‐resolution melting analysis allows rapid and accurate differentiation of the three Melampsoridium species occurring on Alnus

Alder (Alnus) leaves can be infected by three species of Melampsoridium rust: M. alni, M. betulinum and M. hiratsukanum. The latter is an invasive species in Europe that can be differentiated from the other two on the basis of morphological and molecular characters. This study presents a rapid, one‐step, closed‐tube and inexpensive method to differentiate species of Melampsoridium using two primer sets and high‐resolution melting (HRM) analysis of alder leaf material.