The culturable leaf mycobiome of Viscum album subsp. austriacum

In Poland's pine forests, mistletoe (Viscum album subsp. austriacum) abundance has increased over the past 20 years. This mistletoe infestation has decreased the growth and vigour of Scots pine trees. In this study, we surveyed the culturable fungi from healthy and diseased V. album subsp. austriacum leaves from two stands in Poland. In total, 63 distinct species were identified, 99.8% of which belonged to the phylum Ascomycota. The community compositions of fungi in mistletoe leaves were similar in healthy and diseased leaves as Alternaria alternata, Aureobasidium pullulans, Botryosphaeria visci, Fusarium paeoniae and Microsphaeropsis olivacea were consistently found in leaves of all symptom types. The most frequently isolated fungus from asymptomatic leaves was M. olivacea, followed by A. alternata, A. pullulans and Hypoxylon rubiginosum. In comparison, the most frequently isolated fungi from leaves with rusty-brown necrotic spots were (in decreasing order) M. olivacea, B. visci, F. paeoniae and A. alternata, while the most frequently isolated fungi from leaves with black or dark brown spots were M. olivacea, A. alternata, A. pullulans, Epicoccum layuense and F. paeoniae. This study was the first comprehensive report showing that certain fungal species may be pathogens of V. album subsp. austriacum in Poland. This study was also the first report of F. paeoniae, F. juglandicola, Diaporthe vacuae and Heterotruncatella spartii from V. album, and the first report of D. vacuae and H. spartii in Poland.     

Decline‐associated Phaeoacremonium species occurring on forest trees in the north of Iran

Between 2013 and 2015, several surveys were conducted throughout forest areas in the north of Iran with the aim of isolating and identifying fungi present on trees showing decline symptoms. Fungal species, isolated from symptomatic wood tissues of various tree genera, including Zelkova, Acer, Parrotia, Quercus, Diospyros, Fagus, Fraxinus, Populus, Pinus, Pterocarya, Gleditsia, Carpinus, Ulmus, Crataegus, Alnus, Mespilus, Punica, Cydonia, Cupressus and Prunus, were morphologically identified and characterized. A molecular identification based on comparisons of DNA sequences of the β‐tubulin gene allowed us to identify seven species belonging to Phaeoacremonium; namely, Phaeoacremonium parasiticum, Pm. alvesii, Pm. minimum, Pm. iranianum, Pm. scolyti, Pm. fraxinopennsylvanicum and Pm. croatiense were isolated and identified. Phaeoacremonium minimum was the most common species and isolated from Gleditsia caspica, Parrotia persica, Cydonia oblonga and Alnus glutinosa. Pathogenicity on selected plants using a mycelium plug inoculation method revealed that most of these species are pathogenic to all the tested trees, with Pm. parasiticum and Pm. minimum being the most pathogenic species. According to host plant species and geographical distribution, the majority of Phaeoacremonium species found represent new records. This is also the first report of Pm. croatiense in Iran and outside Croatia.     

Differences in leafminer (Phyllonorycter, Gracillariidae, Lepidoptera) and aphid (Tuberculatus, Aphididae, Hemiptera) composition among Quercusdentata, Q. crispula, Q. serrata, and their hybrids

Leafminer (Phyllonorycter, Gracillariidae, Lepidoptera) and aphid (Tuberculatus, Aphididae, Hemiptera) composition were studied in three deciduous oak species, Quercus dentata, Q. crispula, and Q. serrata, and their hybrids in Tomakomai Experimental Forest of Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, northern Japan. Identification of trees in this forest was done mainly on the basis of discriminant analysis on leaf morphology with reference to trees in pure Q. dentata and Q. crispula stands and a Q. serrata stand mixed with Q. crispula. The results suggested that hybridization occurred in all combinations (i.e. Q. dentata–Q. crispula, Q. crispula–Q. serrata, and Q. serrata–Q. dentata) and the frequency of hybrids was approximately 10%. The composition of Phyllonorycter and Tuberculatus species differed between Q. dentata and Q. crispula or Q. serrata, but did not differ between Q. crispula and Q. serrata. Thus, Q. dentata could differ from Q. crispula and Q. serrata in chemical properties that determine herbivore host selection, survival, and performance, possibly reflecting eco-physiological differences or phylogenetic distances. The study insects were divided into three groups: species specialized to Q. dentata (three Phyllonorycter and one Tuberculatus species), those to Q. crispula and Q. serrata (six Phyllonorycter and two Tuberculatus species), and a species collected at least from Q. dentata and Q. crispula (one Tuberculatus species). Putative hybrid trees of Q. dentata and Q. crispula harbored both Q. dentata-specific and Q. crispula-specific insects.     

Phacidium infestans

Phacidium injestans P. Karsten sensu lato may be divided into two varieties: the Eurasian Ph. infestans var. infestans and the American-Japanese variety Ph. infestans var. abietis Dearness. Ph. infestans var. infestans includes a northern and a southern group, both fruiting on two- and five-needled pines, the northern also very seldom fruiting on Abies and Juniperus. Disease caused by the fungus, diaspores, resistance of the hosts, influence of snow cover and of ground vegetation, and control are dealt with in detail for the northern group. Ph. infestans var. abietis includes two formac speciales: the North American Ph. infestans var. abietis f. sp. abietis on Abies and Pseudotsuga, and the Japanese Ph. infestans var. abietis f. sp. piceae on Abies, Picea, and pinus.     

Insect inhabitants of old larval galleries of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Saperda populnea</Emphasis> (L.) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in Bulgaria

The complex of insect inhabitants of old larval galleries of Saperda populnea (L.) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) was studied during the period 2000–2003 in 18 localities in Bulgaria. As a result, 32 insect species were reared from old S. populnea galls: Metopoplax origani (Kolenati) (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae), Malachius sp. (Coleoptera: Malachiidae), Agrilus pratensis pratensis (Ratzeburg) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), Xylocleptes bispinus (Duftschmidt) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), Crossocerus cetratus (Shuckard), Crossocerus megacephalus (Rossi), Crossocerus nigritus (Lepeletier & Brullé), Crossocerus acanthophorus (Kohl), Passaloecus brevilabris Wolf, Passaloecus gracilis (Curtis), Psenulus schencki (Tournier), Solierella compedita compedita (Piccioli), Trypoxylon figulus figulus (Linnaeus), Trypoxylon fronticorne fronticorne Gussakovskij (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae), Cleptes schmidti Linsenmaiser, Trichrysis cyanea (Linnaeus) (Hymenoptera: Chrysididae), Clistopyga incitator (Fabricius), Ctenochira sanguinatoria (Ratzeburg), Liotryphon crassisetus (Thomson), Nemeritis fallax (Gravenhorst), Mesochorus georgievi Schwenke, Campoletis sp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), Charmon extensor (Linnaeus) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Eupelmus urozonus Dalman (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae), Perilampus aeneus (Rossius) (Hymenoptera: Perilampidae), Trichiocampus grandis (Lepeletier) (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae), Janus luteipes (Lepeletier) (Hymenoptera: Cephidae), Cydia corollana (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), Fiebrigella brevibucca (Duda) (Diptera: Chloropidae), Eustolomyia hilaris (Fallén) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), Senotaina sp. (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) and Heringia vitripennis (Meigen) (Diptera: Syrphidae). Amongst them, 27 species were established as new inhabitants of old S. populnea galls. Five species (C. schmidti, N. fallax, M. georgievi, P. aeneus and J. luteipes) were recorded for the first time in Bulgaria. The dwellers of old S. populnea galls belong to the following ecological groups: insects using galls as a place to develop (3 species); insects nidificating in empty galls (10 species); insects using old galls as a pupating place (1 species); insects using empty galls as overwintering shelters (3 species); predators and parasites of primary dwellers of empty galls (13 species); or insects with uncertain ecological status (2 species).     

Potential of clones in improving the financial benefits of essential oil production from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Melaleuca alternifolia</Emphasis> plantations

Australian tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) is a woody plant that produces an essential oil with antiseptic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties and is widely formulated into many products. Yield and financial analyses were done to compare the viability of replanting 20 ha tea tree plantations using elite clones and improved seedlings over a 15 year time frame were carried out. Four plantation options were modelled: (1) plantations established using genetically improved seedlings (ATTIA 2B) planted at a stocking of 33,333 plants/ha and (2) 16,667 plants/ha, (3) plantations established using the best three selected clones planted at a stocking of 33,333 plants/ha and (4) 16,667 plants/ha. Financial analysis showed that, at an oil price of $45/kg (as at Sep 2008), replacement plantations of either elite clones or improved seedlings are both highly profitable irrespective of the stocking employed. The Net Present Values per hectare at 7% discount rate was $45/kg (as at Sep 2008), replacement plantations of either elite clones or improved seedlings are both highly profitable irrespective of the stocking employed. The Net Present Values per hectare at 7% discount rate was 107,824, 63,640,63,640, 163,162 and 104,055 for plantation options 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Plantation option 3 was predicted to give the greatest profit at any of the oil prices tested, followed by plantation option 1, 4 and 2. The break-even prices for tea tree oil production, using the production parameters in this model were104,055 for plantation options 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Plantation option 3 was predicted to give the greatest profit at any of the oil prices tested, followed by plantation option 1, 4 and 2. The break-even prices for tea tree oil production, using the production parameters in this model were 11.81/kg, 15.19/kg,15.19/kg, 10.72/kg and $12.96/kg for plantation options 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively.     

Artificial inoculation and susceptibility of Pinus armandii to Dothistroma septosporum

Dothistroma needle blight (DNB) is a serious needle disease of conifers that primarily affects pine species (Pinus spp.). Dothistroma septosporum is one of the DNB pathogens that has a diverse range of host species excluding Pinus armandii. In 15 inoculated P. armandii seedlings, D. septosporum acervuli were observed in 43 infected needles of ten seedlings with a mean disease severity of 1.11% at 25 weeks after inoculations, demonstrating the potential of D. septosporum to cause symptoms on the needles of P. armandii via artificial inoculation. The disease severity of P. armandii was similar to the positive control, Pinus nigra (median 0.75 for P. armandii to 0.70 for P. nigra), thus, P. armandii acts under artificial conditions as a susceptible host species.     

Scale insects of the conifer trees in Turkey and their zoogeographical distribution

In Turkey, 25 species of Coccoidea (Homoptera) are recorded on Conifera tree species. The family Diaspididae has 15, Coccidae 6, Pseudococcidae 3, and Margarodidae 1 species. Specifically, Dynaspidiotus spp. are recorded on Abies, Cedrus, Picea, and Pinus; Leucaspis spp. on Pinus spp.; Carulaspis spp. on Biota, Cupressus, Juniperus, and Thuja; Lepidosaphes spp. on Abies, Biota, Juniperus, and Picea; Coccus spp. on Abies, Cedrus, and Pinus; and Planococcus spp. on Cupressus, Juniperus, and Pinus species. Acanthomytilus cedricola is recorded only on Cedrus spp.; Physokermes piceae on Abies and Picea species; and Marchalina hellenica only on Pinus species. Two species are Native, five are Cosmopolitan, 15 are Palaearctic, and 3 are of Mediterranean origin.     

Effects of flooding on growth of seedlings of woody riparian species

The effects of flooding on growth of seedlings were compared over a 7-month period (April–November) among six different woody species: Aesculus turbinata, Cercidiphyllum japonicum, Fraxinus platypoda, Pterocarya rhoifolia, Pterostyrax hispida, and Quercus mongolica var. grosseserrata. Flooding reduced the shoot length of F. platypoda, P. rhoifolia, C. japonicum, P. hispida, and Q. mongolica var. grosseserrata seedlings but did not affect that of A. turbinata seedlings. Among control seedlings, shoot elongation occurred once in A. turbinata and twice in F. platypoda and Q. mongolica var. grosseserrata; the other species continued to grow from April to August. Among the flooded plants of all species, shoot elongation occurred only once at the beginning of the growing season. On August 25, flooding significantly reduced the number of developed leaves as compared with control plants except for A. turbinata. In the flooded plants except for F. platypoda, leaf fall began on June 30; in controls, by contrast, the number of developed leaves increased until August 25. Flooding reduced the total dry weight increment in all species. The survival ratio of flooded plants after the experiment differed with species. All of the F. platypoda and A. turbinata seedlings survived the flooding treatment, while only 20% of P. hispida and 30% of Q. mongolica var. grosseserrata survived. Flooding seriously affected the growth of riparian pioneer species including P. rhoifolia, C. japonicum, P. hispida, and Q. mongolica var. grosseserrata. The effects of flooding on growth of the seedlings differed with the tree species because of differences in leaf-emergence pattern and physiological flood tolerance. The responses of tree seedlings to flooding reflected species habitats and growth patterns.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ophiostoma</Emphasis> species associated with bark beetles infesting three <Emphasis Type="Italic">Abies</Emphasis> species in Nikko,Japan

Ophiostoma species were isolated from bark beetles and Abies mariesii, A. veitchii and A. homolepis attacked by the beetles in Nikko, Tochigi, central Honshu, Japan. One to two Ophiostoma species were frequently isolated from each species of bark beetle. Ophiostoma subalpinum was the most common associate of Cryphalus montanus. Ophiostoma sp. B as well as O. subalpinum was a common fungus associated with Polygraphus proximus. Ophiostoma europhioides was isolated from Dryocoetes hectographus and D. autographus as one of the common associates. Ophiostoma sp. J and Ophiostoma sp. S were frequently isolated from D. autographus and D. striatus, respectively. These fungi seem to have specific relationships with particular bark beetles. Ophiostoma sp. B, Ophiostoma sp. J and Ophiostoma sp. S have unique morphological characteristics and appear to be new species. Five trees of A. veitchii, approximately 43 years old, were inoculated with five Ophiostoma species to assess the relative virulence of the fungi. Ophiostoma subalpinum, Ophiostoma sp. B, and O. europhioides had relatively higher virulence than the other species studied.     

Influence of five host plants of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aphis gossypii</Emphasis> Glover on some population parameters of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hippodamia variegata</Emphasis> (Goeze)

The aphidophagous ladybird beetle, Hippodamia variegata (Goeze), is an important predator in many agricultural ecosystems. However, information on the influence of the prey’s host plant species on its life history characteristics is still absent in the literature. Therefore, five host plant species of Aphis gossypii Glover, viz. Cucumis sativus L., Cucurbita pepo var. medullosa L., Cucurbita moschata var. melonaeformis Poiret, Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis L. and Lagenaria siceraria var. gourda Standl., were selected to study the influence of the prey’s host plant species on the development, survival, reproduction and life table parameters of H. variegata in the laboratory at 25°C. The results showed that all of A. gossypii from five host plant species used were acceptable for the growth, development and reproduction of H. variegata. However, the suitability of aphids from various host plants was different for this ladybird beetle. The complete pre-imaginal development was longest (14.51 ± 0.17 days) when reared with aphids on C. melo var. cantalupensis and shortest (12.60 ± 0.11 days) on L. siceraria var. gourda. Total immature survival from egg to adult was highest (58.97%) on L. siceraria var. gourda and lowest (44.06%) on C. melo var. cantalupensis. Based on the intrinsic rate of increase as an index of suitability of prey host plant species on the population increase of H. variegata, the suitability in decreasing order was: L. siceraria var. gourda > C. moschata var. melonaeformis > C. pepo var. medullosa > C. melo var. cantalupensis > C. sativus. This study offered opportunities for better understanding the tritrophic interactions of the plant–aphid–predator relationship.     

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.     

Studies on the parasitoid complex of Choristoneura murinana (Hbn.) (Lep.: Tortricidae) in Turkey

The parasitoid complex of Choristoneura murinana (Hbn.), a pest of Abies cilicica Carr., was studied in Isparta, Turkey. Shoots and needles of A. cilicica with C. murinana larvae and pupae were collected and examined under laboratory conditions in 2002 and 2003. As a result of this study, 14 parasitoid species of C. murinana were determined: Apanteles obscurus Nees. (Hym.: Braconidae), Brachymeria intermedia Nees (Hym.: Chalcididae), Mesopolobus mediterraneus Mayr, Mesopolobus dubius Walker, Pteromalus chrysos Walker, Pteromalus sp. (Hym.: Pteromalidae), Monodontomerus aereus Walker (Hym.: Torymidae), Itoplectis maculator (Fabricius), Apophua bipunctoria Thunberg, Triclistus globulipes Desvignes, Dirophanes maculicornis Stephens, Hyposoter sp., Dusona sp. (Hym.: Ichneumonidae) and Aprostocetus sp. (Hym.: Eulophidae). In the studied parasitoid complex, A. obscurus, B. intermedia and I. maculator were the most important in reducing pest numbers. The level of total parasitism of the C. murinana was 19.4% in 2002 and 22.3% in 2003.     

Functional compatibility of two arbuscular mycorrhizae with thirteen fruit trees in Senegal

Functional compatibility between thirteen tropical fruit trees (Afzelia africana Smith., Adansonia digitata L., Aphania senegalensis Radlk., Anacardium occidentale L., Cordyla pinnata (Lepr. ex A. Rich.) Milne-Redhead, Dialium guineensis Wild., Landolphia heudelottii A.DC., Sclerocarya birrea (A.Roch.) Hochst., Saba senegalensis (A. DC.) Pichon and four reference hosts Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del., Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.), Tamarindus indica L. and Zizyphus mauritiana Lam.) and two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Glomus aggregatum Schenck and Smith emend. Schenck and Glomus intraradices Schenck and Smith), was investigated. Marked differences were found between them in terms of mycorrhizal formation, root colonization, relative mycorrhizal dependency (RMD) and phosphorus concentrations in shoot tissues. A. africana, L. heudelottii and S. senegalensis did not form symbiotic associations, and the growth of A. africana decreased following mycorrhizal inoculation, while L. heudelottii and S. senegalensis showed no dependency. In contrast, A. digitata, A. senegalensis, A. occidentale, B. aegyptiaca and S. birrea were well colonized with AMF, but did not significantly increase in biomass production. Five fruit trees did, however, show dependency by a positive interaction with G. aggregatum, the most effective AMF. Z. mauritiana was found to be very highly dependent (RMD > 75%), T. indica was highly dependent (50–75% RMD), and D. guineensis, P. biglobosa and C. pinnata were moderately dependent (25–50% RMD). Phosphorus absorption probably contributed to this dependency more than the absorption of potassium. These results indicate that some tropical fruit trees do derive benefits from AM inoculation, while others do not.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Versuche zur Verwendung von „Ersatzwirten” bei Laborzuchten der Zehrwespen Micropleetron fuscipennis Zett. (Chalcididae,Eulophinae) und Pteromalus alboannulatus Ratz. (Chalcididae,Pteromalinae)

Zusammenfassung 1. Die Weibchen der ChalcididePteromalus alboannulatus Ratz. sind in Laborzuchten außer an Puppen der Kieferneule(Panolis flammea Schiff.) erfolgreich auch zur Fortpflanzung an Puppen vonBupalus piniarius L.,Ellopia prosapiaria L.,Hematurga atomaria L.,Boarmia bistortata Goeze undSphinx pinastri L. zu bringen.2. Zuchten der ChalcidideMicroplectron fuscipennis Zett. lassen sich bei Mangel anDiprion-Kokons mit Hilfe der Kokons vonLygaeonematus abietum Htg., besser mit solchen vonLygaeonematus wesmaeli Tischb. weiterführen. Im Freilandversuch ergibt sich jedoch eindeutig eine Bevorzugung derDiprion-Kokons.Neuerdings auch:Dahlbominus.Neuerdings auch:Dirhicnus.     

Growth analysis of the competition–density effect in non-self-thinning Populus deltoides and Populus?×?euramericana plantations

The competition–density (C–D) effect for non-self-thinning Populus deltoides and Populus × euramericana plantations from 3 to 9 years was analyzed using the reciprocal equation of the C–D effect. The C–D effect was well described by the reciprocal equation, and with the progress of time the C–D curve, on logarithmic coordinates, of the P. × euramericana plantations shifted upward faster than that of the P. deltoides plantations. With increasing physical time t, the biological time τ, i.e. the integral from zero to t of the coefficient of growth λ(t) in the general logistic curve with respect to t, increased rapidly during early growth stages and the increases in τ gradually became slow during later growth stages. This trend was more evident in the P. deltoides plantations than in the P. × euramericana plantations. The coefficients A and B included in the reciprocal equation were calculated at each growth stage. With increasing τ, the coefficient A, the reciprocal of which means the asymptote of yield (=wρ) at a given growth stage, increased abruptly to a maximum value and then tended to decrease gradually to a constant level. On the other hand, the coefficient B, the reciprocal of which means the asymptote of mean stem volume at a given growth stage, decreased exponentially and tended to be close to zero with increasing τ. The λ(t) decreased with increasing stand age, whereas the final yield Y(t) defined as W(t) ρ, where W(t) is the asymptote of w in the general logistic growth curve, increased gradually with increasing stand age. The differences in coefficients A, B, and λ(t) between the two species were reported.     

Fruiting and sporulation of Thekopsora and Chrysomyxa cone rusts in Picea cones and Prunus leaves

Natural fruiting and sporulation of cone rusts were investigated in cones of Picea spp. and leaves of Prunus spp. in a botanical garden in northern Finland in 2007–2012. Thekopsora areolata was the most frequent cone rust in Picea abies cones, where it colonizes the host tissues and hinders normal seed development. Aecia of T. areolata were also common in cones of Picea engelmannii and occasionally in cones of P. glauca. Aecia of T. areolata sporulated in cones that were at least one year old. Chrysomyxa pirolata, another pathogenic cone rust, fruited and sporulated annually but infrequently in current‐year cones of P. abies. The spruce needle rust, Chrysomyxa ledi, fruited and sporulated commonly in current‐year cone scales of P. abies, P. omorika and P. glauca, while P. rubens, P. mariana and P. pungens appeared to be resistant during the study period. Chrysomyxa ledi did not affect seed development in infected cones. Uredinia of T. areolata frequently occurred on leaves of 41 Finnish and Russian cultivars, varieties or subspecies of Prunus padus L. ssp. badus and ssp. borealis and Pr. virginiana both in the botanical garden and in the field, while 13 exotic Prunus spp. lacked rust fruitbodies. All the Pr. padus cultivars were highly susceptible to T. areolata, thus, spreading the rust efficiently to surroundings. This is the first report of aecia of T. areolata in cones of P. engelmannii and P. glauca, and those of C. ledi in cones of P. omorika and P. glauca. Molecular identification confirmed the presence of T. areolata and C. pirolata on all hosts, and all samples of C. ledi belonged to the C. ledi‐rhododendri complex.     

Cronartium flaccidum fruitbody production on Melampyrum spp. and some important alternate hosts to pine

Four Vincetoxicum species, Paeonia anomala and Melampyrum sylvaticum known to act as alternate hosts for Cronartium flaccidum, and a potential host Melampyrum pratense were inoculated either in vitro or in vivo with various aeciospore sources of C. flaccidum. All fresh C. flaccidum aeciospore sources variably produced uredia or telia on Vincetoxicum hirundinaria, Vincetoxicum mongolicum, Vincetoxicum fuscatum, Vincetoxicum nigrum, P. anomala, nine geographic provenances of M. sylvaticum, and two provenances of M. pratense. This is the first time that C. flaccidum telia were artificially produced on M. sylvaticum and the first time that M. pratense was shown to act as alternate host for C. flaccidum. The results suggest that M. sylvaticum is relatively susceptible to C. flaccidum, whereas M. pratense is almost resistant to this rust. The low host-specificity of the Finnish population of C. flaccidum was demonstrated, as V. hirundinaria from Italy was susceptible to the rust.     

Association of seed‐borne Fusarium species on Pinus ponderosa with germination and seedling viability in Argentina

Pinus ponderosa seedlots from eight seed orchards in Western Patagonia, Argentina, were evaluated for the presence of Fusarium species, and isolates obtained were subjected to pathogenicity tests. The following species were isolated: Fusariumoxysporum, Fusarium equiseti, Fusarium verticillioides, Fusarium incarnatum, Fusarium acuminatum, Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium proliferatum. With the exception of F. proliferatum and F. graminearum all Fusarium species were recovered from P. ponderosa seedlings with symptoms of damping‐off. Five Fusarium species were re‐isolated from necrotic roots of seedlings showing chlorosis (F. oxysporum, F. equiseti, F. incarnatum, F. acuminatum and F. verticillioides). High damping‐off losses occurred in Fusarium‐contaminated seed of P. ponderosa and low disease incidence occurred on less contaminated seed. The role of seed‐borne inoculum in disease spread within forest nurseries is discussed.     

Phylogenetic analysis of Japanese Armillaria based on the intergenic spacer (IGS) sequences of their ribosomal DNA

To determine the phylogenetic positions of two new species, Armillaria jezoensis and Armillaria singula, and one new subspecies, Armillaria mellea suhsp. nipponica, the nucleotide sequences of the intergenic spacers (IGS) of their ribosomal DNA were investigated, and compared with those of tour other Armillaria species from Japan, and those of nine Armillaria species from Europe and North America. We conclude that Armillaria jezoensis, and Armillaria singula belong to the Armillaria gallica cluster as Armillaria cepistipes, Armillaria gallica and Armillaria sinapina from Japan. Two isolates of Armillaria ostoyae from Japan were placed within the Armillaria ostoyae cluster. Armillaria mellea subsp. nipponica had an IGS sequence as long as the IGS of Armillaria mellea from Europe and North America. However, the IGS sequences of Armillaria mellea subsp. nipponica, whose basidium base lacks a clamp connection could not be satisfactorily aligned with the IGS sequences of other species possessing this morphological feature.