Pathogenicity of Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref. sensu stricto on coniferous tree species in Turkey

Two‐year‐old seedlings of Pinus brutia, P. brutia var. eldarica, Pinus pinea and 3‐year‐old seedlings of Pinus radiata, Pinus sylvestris, Pinus nigra and Cedrus libani were inoculated on the lower stem with isolates of Heterobasidion annosum s.s. collected from the Black Sea and Mediterranean regions of Turkey. In total, 315 seedlings were inoculated in April 2014 and incubated in a growth chamber for 7 weeks at 18–20°C. All isolates were pathogenic on the seven different hosts and had the ability to grow in living sapwood. The isolates had a greater growth on C. libani, P. sylvestris and P. radiata seedlings compared to plants of the other species tested. The least affected species were P. brutia and P. nigra. The isolates originating from the Black Sea region caused longer lesions on the hosts. Overall mortality during 7 weeks of incubation was 4%.     

Low genetic diversity but frequent sexual reproduction of the chestnut blight fungus Cryphonectria parasitica in Azerbaijan

Chestnut blight was first recorded in Azerbaijan on the native European chestnut (Castanea sativa) in 2004, and since then, the disease is expanding in the country. In this study, chestnut blight was detected in seven of eight forest districts that were inspected. To characterize the local population structure of the chestnut blight fungus, 199 Cryphonectria parasitica isolates were collected and assessed for vc type, mating type and microsatellite genotype. Among these isolates, one dominant vc type was detected comprising 93% of the isolates. Six additional vc types were identified among the other isolates. The microsatellite analysis revealed a very similar pattern with 96.5% of the isolates belonging to the same multilocus genotype. Both mating types of C. parasitica were present in all seven districts with a mating type ratio not different from 1:1 in five districts. In accordance with the occurrence of both mating types, sexual fruiting bodies (perithecia) of C. parasitica were found in all districts with an overall prevalence on 20.6% of the cankers. The dominant vc type and microsatellite genotype in Azerbaijan do not occur in Europe, but have previously been found to be widespread in neighbouring Georgia. Our study reveals that sexual reproduction in the invasive C. parasitica population in Azerbaijan is frequent, although the population shows a low genetic diversity. This could favour the biological control of chestnut blight using hypovirulence, which so far does not seem to be present in Azerbaijan.     

Characteristics of the Cryphonectria parasitica isolated from Quercus in Slovakia

The occurrence of chestnut blight (Cryphonectria parasitica) on oaks in mixed chestnut‐oak forests was studied in 2003–2008 in Slovakia. Infections on living Quercus trees were found at four of seven localities. The disease incidence on oaks ranged from 1.3% to 15.8%. The symptoms on infected oaks were similar to those on chestnut, but less conspicuous. Cankers of C. parasitica were found only on Quercus robur and Q. petraea. A total of 22 isolates of C. parasitica, all virulent, were isolated. Each site yielded only a single vc type (EU12 or EU13). Field inoculation experiments on chestnuts with seven strains of C. parasitica from oaks and an isolate from Castanea sativa showed no differences in virulence. On Quercus robur stems, the cankered area was significantly smaller than on C. sativa and the cankers developed very slowly.     

Interactions between callus cultures of Pinus sylvestris and pine fungi with different trophic properties

Fungal virulence may be studied using tissues cultures of host plants in dual cultures in vitro, enabling analyses of interactions with undifferentiated cells of their host plants. Three genotypes of Pinus sylvestris callus, initiated by somatic embryogenesis, were used for establishing dual cultures with fungi pathogenic, endophytic or saprotrophic on pine needles or shoots. Fungal growth towards the plant callus tissue differed, depending on the life strategy of the fungus. The pathogen Gremmeniella abietina proved the slowest colonizer of callus whereas the saprotrophic Phacidium lacerum was the fastest. Gremmeniella abietina partially overgrew the callus, causing extensive necrosis and death within 10 days after inoculation. Anthostomella formosa, an endophyte of pines, did not cause evident symptoms of callus degradation: after 10 days of dual culture, the callus cells remained greenish and at least 50% of cells were alive. In dual cultures Ph. lacerum, callus remained alive until the end of the experiment, maintaining a white‐creamy colour with a loose cell structure. Electrophoresis of protein extracts from the callus showed the presence of additional bands of 25–35 kDa only in host tissues challenged with the pathogen G. abietina, possibly indicating the production of pathogenesis‐related proteins. This work has shown that pine callus does not respond equally to challenge with different fungal isolates. In general, one‐third of the isolates of each fungus examined showed greater virulence compared to other isolates.     

Characterization and pathogenicity of six Cytospora strains causing stem canker of wild apple in the Tianshan Forest,China

Cytospora species are capable of causing destructive cankers of stems belonging to a wide range of woody plant species. In severe cases, cankers may lead to dieback of twigs and branches. Little is known about the Cytospora species causing canker disease of wild apple (Malus sieversii) trees in the Wild Fruit Forest Reserve in Tianshan Forest, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. In this study, six Cytospora isolates belonging to two species were isolated from cankerous lesions of wild apple twigs. Based on multi‐locus phylogenetic analysis using three DNA markers (ITS, tef1‐α and tub2) and morphological characterization, these isolates were identified as Cytospora mali and Cytospora parasitica. Temperature trials (15, 20, 25 and 30°C) showed that the optimal growth temperature for six isolates was 25°C. At a variety of temperatures, C. mali isolates tended to grow faster than isolates of C. parasitica, with the C. mali isolate, EGI1 performing better than others with regard to growth rate. Morphological observations showed that these species exhibited a single locule without conceptacles, and the conidia length was 3–5 μm. In vitro inoculation trials of twigs and leaves of M. sieversii seedlings revealed that the C. mali isolates were highly virulent phytopathogenic fungi, whereas the C. parasitica isolates were less virulent. The isolate EGI1 was the most virulent isolate among the six isolates. This paper presents the first report of pathogenic Cytospora spp. of the M. sieversii Tianshan Wild Fruit Forest Reserve of Yili, Xinjiang in China. It will aid in the understanding of how apple tree cankers are induced and provide disease management guidelines for M. sieversii forest conservation.     

Below-ground root yield and distribution in natural and replanted mangrove forests at Gazi bay, Kenya

Estimation of total biomass in woody ecosystems is important because of its relevance to nutrient turnover and the potential to store carbon. Most work on mangrove biomass, particularly in the Western Indian Ocean Region, has concentrated on the above-ground component; comparatively little is known on below-ground biomass. The current study was conducted at Gazi bay on the southern coast of Kenya. The objective was to determine the below-ground biomass of three species of mangrove, Rhizophora mucronata Lamarck, Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh and Sonneratia alba J. Smith, in natural and replanted stands. The effects of distance from the tree base and of soil depth on root biomass and size distributions were also studied using coring. Live below-ground biomass (mean ± S.E.) ranged from 7.5 ± 0.4 t/ha to 35.8 ± 1.1 t/ha, 48.4 ± 0.7 t/ha to 75.5 ± 2.0 t/ha and 39.1 ± 0.7 t/ha to 43.7 ± 1.7 t/ha for R. mucronata, S. alba and A. marina, respectively, depending on the age of the stand. Including dead roots produced total biomass values of 34.9 ± 1.8–111.5 ± 5.6 t/ha, 78.9 ± 3.3–121.5 ± 7.3 t/ha and 49.4 ± 1.1–84.7 ± 5.4 t/ha for R. mucronata, S. alba and A. marina. These values imply carbon contents of live roots ranging between 3.8 ± 0.2 C t/ha and 17.9 ± 0.6 C t/ha, 24.2 ± 0.4 C t/ha and 37.7 ± 1.0 C t/ha and 19.5 ± 0.4 C t/ha and 21.9 ± 0.9 C t/ha for R. mucronata, S. alba and A. marina stands, respectively, and 17.4 ± 0.9 C t/ha and 55.7 ± 2.8 C t/ha, 39.4 ± 1.7 C t/ha and 60.7 ± 3.6 C t/ha and 24.7 ± 0.6 C t/ha and 42.4 ± 2.9 C t/ha for R. mucronata, S. alba and A. marina stands, respectively if dead roots are included. Stand densities were 4650 ± 177 stems/ha, 3800 ± 212 stems/ha and 3567 ± 398 stems/ha for R. mucronata 6-year old, 12-year-old and natural stands respectively. Mean stem diameter, and basal area were highest in the 12-year-old plantation while below-ground root biomass increased with age. Stand density for S. alba, was highest in the 12-year-old plantation (7900 ± 141 stems/ha) while the 9-year-old stand had trees with the largest diameter (7.7 ± 0.9 cm). Below-ground biomass was highest in the 12-year old (75.5 ± 2.0 t/ha) and lowest in the natural stand (48.4 ± 0.7 t/ha). Stand density for A. marina was highest in the 12-year-old plantation (4300 ± 919 stems/ha) while mean stem diameter (7.9 ± 0.7 cm) and basal area (16.2 ± 2.1 m²/ha) were highest in the natural stand. Below-ground biomass in the 12-year-old (43.7 ± 1.7 t/ha) and natural stands (39.1 ± 0.7 t/ha) was similar. Root densities decreased with soil depth and with distance from the base of trees for all species and stands. Fine roots (diameter <5 mm) constituted between 24% and 45% of the total stand live root biomass. The information generated is important in establishing the total biomass and thus the potential amount of carbon sequestered by mangroves in the study area.     

Field survey,isolation, identification and pathogenicity of Phytophthora species associated with a Mediterranean‐type tree species

Corymbia calophylla (marri), a keystone tree species in the global biodiversity hot spot of southwestern Australia, is suffering decline and mortality associated with a canker disease caused by the endemic fungus Quambalaria coyrecup. Phytophthora species are frequently isolated from the rhizosphere of C. calophylla, and a hypothesis is that Phytophthora root infection is predisposing C. calophylla to this endemic canker pathogen. Field surveys were conducted in both anthropogenically disturbed and undisturbed C. calophylla stands, from where a total of 100 rhizosphere soil samples, from both healthy and cankered trees, were collected. Phytophthora species were isolated from 26% of the samples collected, with Phytophthora incidence significantly higher on disturbed stands than in natural forests (73% and 27%, respectively). Five Phytophthora species were recovered, including P. cinnamomi, P. elongata, P. multivora, P. pseudocryptogea and P. versiformis. Under‐bark inoculations with the Phytophthora isolates caused significant lesion lengths in excised C. calophylla stems. Corymbia calophylla response to pot infestation trials in the glasshouse varied between Phytophthora species and isolates, with isolates of P. cinnamomi and P. multivora causing a significant reduction in seedling root volume and often leading to seedling death. This study demonstrates that root disease caused by Phytophthora species, especially P. cinnamomi and P. multivora, has the ability to adversely affect C. calophylla health. This study leads the way to do a dual inoculation trial with the canker pathogen Q. coyrecup, and different Phytophthora species to investigate if Phytophthora root infection predisposes C. calophylla to this canker disease.     

Canker disease of willow and poplar caused by Cryptosphaeria pullmanensis recorded in China

A new canker disease of Salix alba and Populus alba has been observed in Xinjiang, China. Black circular spots on dead branches and stems are the symptoms of the disease. Sixty‐seven isolates recovered from Salix matsudana, S. alba and Populus alba were identified as Cryptosphaeria pullmanensis based on morphological features and multigene phylogeny. Pathogenicity tests were performed on S. alba and P. alba stems using the C. pullmanensis isolates. Cankers on and Cryptosphaeria pullmanensis of C. pullmanensis from the stems fulfilled Koch's postulates and confirmed C. pullmanensis as the causal agent of the canker disease. C. pullmanensis is characterized by its yellow stromatic tissue surrounded by a black conceptacle with regularly arranged multiple locules sharing common walls and hyaline, allantoid, aseptate conidia (mean size 7.42 × 1.72 μm). This is the first report of C. pullmanensis causing Cryptosphaeria canker in China, and S. alba and P. alba are new host records for C. pullmanensis.     

Distribution and stem growth patterns of mangrove species along the Nakara River in Iriomote Island, Southwestern Japan

We examined variations in stand structure and tree growth of a mangrove forest along two gradients: from the river mouth to upper stream and from the riverside to inland, along the Nakara River, Iriomote Island, Japan. Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Lamk. occurred throughout the intertidal area, though Rhizophora stylosa Griff. and Kandelia candel (L) Druce did not occur upstream. Basal area and maximum tree height of B. gymnorrhiza decreased downstream. The growth rate in stem diameter of B. gymnorrhiza decreased downstream in relation with the soil salinity. The basal area and the maximum tree height of B. gymnorrhiza increased with the distance from the riverside. R. stylosa increased in stem diameter and growth rate toward the riverside.     

天然红海榄支柱根的空间连接与分形表征

以广东湛江特呈岛红树林自然保护区内的红海榄纯林、红海榄+木榄、红海榄+白骨壤、红海榄+木榄+白骨壤混交林4种群落类型为对象,运用最小距离指数、连接度指数分析红海榄支柱根的空间连接和分布规律;同时,采用分形维数与拓扑指数确定红海榄支柱根的分形特征,分析根系分支状况以及分形特征与支柱根性状之间的相关性.结果表明:红海榄同级支柱根之间的空间连接程度不高,近于随机分布格局;4种群落类型中红海榄支柱根均具有较好的分形特征,分形维数为1.468 5～1.554 5,具有较强的利用与占据生态空间的能力;红海榄支柱根拓扑结构复杂,拓扑指数为0.366 4～0.448 5,接近叉状分支模式,有利于扩展生态空间和增加植株的稳定性;根系分形维数与支柱根数量、平均连接长度等性状之间的相关关系显著.     

Molecular characteristics and functional analysis of the β‐1,4‐endoglucanase Bm‐eng‐1 gene of Bursaphelenchus mucronatus (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae)

The pine nematode Bursaphelenchus mucronatus has been associated with pine wilt in China. This work was intended to investigate the role of the pathogenicity‐related β‐1,4‐endoglucanase gene of B. mucronatus in the infection of pines. In this study, the full‐length cDNA of the Bm‐eng‐1 gene was cloned and characterized from a B. mucronatus isolate. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the Bm‐eng‐1 gene of B. mucronatus may be acquired from fungi through horizontal gene transfer. The function of the gene was demonstrated using RNA interference. RNA interference indicated that Bm‐eng‐1 was involved in the dispersal, reproductive ability and pathogenicity of B. mucronatus. In situ hybridization showed that Bm‐eng‐1 was specifically expressed in the oesophageal gland of B. mucronatus. Furthermore, to investigate the relation between β‐1,4‐endoglucanase activities and virulence of different isolates, the β‐1,4‐endoglucanase activities and the expression levels of Bm‐eng‐1 were detected in six B. mucronatus isolates with different virulence. β‐1,4‐Endoglucanase activity was generally higher in pathogenic isolates than in non‐pathogenic isolates, and the Bm‐eng‐1 expression levels in different isolates were positively correlated with the β‐1,4‐endoglucanase activity. These findings suggested that β‐1,4‐endoglucanase plays important roles in the pathogenic process of B. mucronatus, and the differential expression of the gene may underlie the different activity levels of β‐1,4‐endoglucanase, subsequently influencing variations in virulence of B. mucronatus isolates.     

Pathogenicity of Malaysian Phytophthora palmivora on cocoa,durian, rubber and oil palm determines the threat of bud rot disease

The epidemic of bud rot disease affecting oil palm in Colombia is primarily caused by Phytophthora palmivora. The pathogen has a cosmopolitan presence that includes Southeast Asia, but to date, bud rot has not been reported in this region. This study provides an overview of the potential risk of Malaysian P. palmivora isolates cross‐infecting other host species, including cocoa, durian, rubber and Malaysian oil palm planting materials (Dura × Pisifera, D × P). On cocoa pods, the durian isolate PP7 caused dark brown necrotic lesions. Detached leaf bioassays showed that P. palmivora isolates PP3 and PP7 infected different hosts, except rubber foliage without wounding. Inoculation tests on cocoa, durian and rubber seedlings caused brown necrotic lesions when stems were wounded, with 10% mortality in cocoa and durian at 17 days post‐inoculation (dpi). However, no further infection was observed, and lesions closed within 14–28 dpi on the non‐wounded seedlings. Pathogenicity tests of oil palm seedlings inoculated with isolates PP3 and PP7 indicated that Malaysian P. palmivora isolates were not pathogenic to oil palms based on localized infection observed only through wounding. Overall, the work demonstrated that Malaysian P. palmivora isolates were able to cross‐infect multiple hosts but did not show severe infections on oil palms.     

Ecology of Armillaria species on conifers in Japan

Distribution, host preference and pathogenicity of Japanese Armillaria species on conifers were investigated on the basis of field collections of 65 isolates. We identified seven Armillaria species from 19 conifer species including six major Japanese plantation conifers using mating tests and sequences of the translation elongation‐1 α gene. Armillaria mellea, Armillaria ostoyae, Armillaria cepistipes and Armillaria sinapina were frequently collected, whereas Armillaria nabsnona, Armillaria tabescens and a biological species Nagasawa’s E were rare. On the basis of host condition when the isolates were collected, A. mellea, A. ostoyae, A. cepistipes and A. tabescens are considered as moderate to aggressive pathogens of conifers in Japan.     

Genetic diversity ofKandelia candel andBruguiera gymnorrhiza in the Southwest Islands, Japan

The genetic diversity of the mangrove tree speciesKandelia candel andBruguiera gymnorrhiza in the Southwest Islands of Japan was investigated. These islands are located at the periphery of the distribution area of the two species, and their populations are relatively small. Allozyme analyses of 17 loci inK. candel and 13 loci inB. gynmorrhiza revealed very little genetic variation in both species. At the species level, the proportion of polymorphic loci was 4.2%, the average effective number of alleles per locus was 1.02, and the average expected heterozygosity was 0.012 inK. candel. The corresponding figures forB. gymnorrhiza were 9.0%, 1.06 and 0.035, respectively. However, the coefficients of genetic differentiation among the populations were high (G _ST=0.165 forK. candel and 0.253 forB. gymnorrhiza). The genetic variation and habitat area ofK. candel on Amami Island is greater than on the islands Okinawa and Iriomote. The genetic variation and habitat area ofB. gymnorrhiza is greater on Iriomote Island than on the islands Okinawa and Amami. The level of genetic variation in both of the species might be related to their population sizes.     

Pathogenic fungi associated with pre‐ and post‐emergence seedling blight of pine and cypress in Fars Province,Iran

Seed and root rot of pine and cypress seedlings cause heavy annual losses to forest nurseries in Fars Province. Root and crown samples of various species of conifers, such as Tehran pine (Pinus eldarica), brutia pine (Pinus brutia), Arizona cypress (Cupressus arizonica), Shirazian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens var. fastigiata), common cypress (C. sempervirens var. horizontalis) and oriental arborvitae (Thuja orientalis), showing chlorosis, necrosis, stunted growth, defoliation and root and crown rot symptoms were collected from pine and cypress nurseries across Fars province at various time intervals. Infected tissues were washed and cultured on acidified potato dextrose agar (PDA) and corn meal agar (CMA) amended with Delvocide and ampicillin, with and without surface sterilization, respectively, and incubated at 25°C for 3–5 days. Decaying seeds of all plant species were also collected from nursery seed stocks and cultured on PDA. Hyphal tip isolates were used for further studies. Species of Phytophthora, Pythium, Rhizoctonia and Fusarium were isolated from symptomatic seedlings of pine and cypress at different times during the growing season. Pathogenicity of isolates of Phytophthora, Pythium and Rhizoctonia was confirmed on seedlings of all plant species, whereas Fusarium sp. isolated from the seeds of Tehran pine was only pathogenic on seedlings of Tehran pine and Arizona cypress. Virulent isolates identified as Phytophthora nicotiana var. parasitica, Pythium ultimum, Pythium paroecandrum, Rhizoctonia solani and binucleate Rhizoctonia‐like fungus caused root and crown rot of pine and cypress seedlings. Pathogenic isolates of Fusarium identified as Fusarium proliferatum also caused pre‐emergence seed decay of pine and cypress. Isolates of Phytophthora and Pythium were the most virulent of these fungal isolates.     

The susceptibility of selected conifer foliage to infection with Phytophthora lateralis

The foliage of seven different genera of conifers including 10 species and 17 different cultivars was tested for its susceptibility against two isolates of Phytophthora lateralis from two different lineages. Detached green shoot tips were floated in zoospore suspension and the lesion size was assessed after 7 days. xCupressocyparis leylandii, Juniperus media and Cedrus deodara were the most resistant hosts, whereas Chamaecyparis obtusa was most susceptible. Thuja plicata and Thuja occidentalis, Chamaecyparis pisifera and Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, Taxus baccata and Cupressus macrocarpa were of medium susceptibility. For comparison, a small subset of four hosts was also tested for stem susceptibility. The stems of whole potted plants were inoculated with the same two isolates as used for the leaf susceptibility tests. Chamaecyparis lawsoniana was highly susceptible, whereas the stems of xC. leylandii, T. baccata and T. plicata were not susceptible. Most conifers were similarly affected by both tested lineages of P. lateralis although the isolate of the Pacific Northwest lineage caused slightly longer lesions on C. lawsoniana in the stem inoculation tests.     

Phytophthora pseudosyringae associated with the mortality of Nothofagus obliqua in a pure stand in central‐southern Chile

Mortality of Nothofagus trees in the southern‐central Chile region has been observed for over 30 years. A field survey conducted in 2013 detected partial defoliation and bleeding cankers on Nothofagus obliqua in a pure stand in the Nahuelbuta coastal ranges of the Biobío region. A Phytophthora sp. was isolated from stem cankers and soil samples around symptomatic N. obliqua trees: All isolates were identified as Phytophthora pseudosyringae. These isolates were pathogenic on 1‐year‐old N. obliqua and Nothofagus alpina, and on detached twigs of adult N. obliqua and Nothofagus dombeyi trees. This paper is the first to report association and pathogenicity of P. pseudosyringae with N. obliqua, N. alpina and N. dombeyi native to the Biobío region of Chile. The potential of P. pseudosyringae to cause damage in natural Nothofagus stands in Chile must be determined.     

Hymenoscyphus fraxineus mycelial growth on media containing leaf extracts of different Oleaceae

We assessed the mycelial growth rate of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, the causal agent of ash dieback, on agar media containing leaf extracts of seven common Mediterranean species of the Oleaceae (Fraxinus excelsior, F. angustifolia, F. ornus, Ligustrum vulgare, Olea europaea, Phyllirea latifolia and Syringa vulgaris). The pathogen grew on all media, but growth rates showed significant differences among media and H. fraxineus isolates. Growth rates were highest on media containing F. excelsior and F. angustifolia, intermediate on media containing O. europaea and P. latifolia and lowest on those containing F. ornus and L. vulgare.     

Pathogenicity of fungi associated with ash dieback symptoms of one‐year‐old Fraxinus excelsior in Montenegro

In addition to Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, two fungi identified as Diaporthe eres aff. and Fusarium sambucinum aff. were also isolated from necrotic bark lesions on declining one‐year‐old Fraxinus excelsior in a forest stand in Montenegro. To examine their involvement in ash decline, a pathogenicity test was performed using under bark inoculations on one‐year‐old Fraxinus excelsior. Hymenoscyphus fraxineus was included as comparison. All three fungal species proved highly pathogenic towards one‐year‐old seedlings although lesion sizes differed significantly between the different species. Hymenoscyphus fraxineus was most aggressive, followed by F. sambucinum aff., while D. eres aff. caused the smallest lesions. This study demonstrates for the first time the ability of isolates in the D. eres and F. sambucinum species complexes to cause decline on one‐year‐old common ash seedlings.     

In vitro screening of biocontrol and biodegradation potential of selected hymenomycetes against Ganoderma boninense and infected oil palm waste

The antagonistic and enzymatic activities of non‐pathogenic hymenomycetes naturally occurring on oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) trunks were assessed to determine their potential as biocontrol agents against G. boninense. Twenty‐five Basidiomycota were isolated on a Ganoderma‐selective medium and identified using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing. The three fungi with potentially higher antagonistic activity against G. boninense, based on the percentage inhibition of radial mycelial growth (PIRG) in dual culture, were Pycnoporus sanguineus (84%), Trametes lactinea (82%) and Grammothele fuligo (81%). In addition to these three isolates, Lentinus tigrinus and a Rigidoporus sp. were also able to invade sterilized oil palm blocks previously colonized by G. boninense despite having lower PIRG values. Colonization of oil palm blocks by G. fuligo, P. sanguineus, Rigidoporus sp., T. lactinea and L. tigrinus resulted in mass losses of 32.50, 30.78, 27.64, 25.20 and 19.33%, respectively, probably due to an ability to produce one or more lignocellulolytic enzyme. Further work is needed to determine the enzymatic degradation potential of these fungi under natural conditions and their possible use in the prevention of colonization of oil palm by G. boninense.