Use of soil solarization to improve growth of eucalyptus forest nursery seedlings in Argentina

Damping-off and root rot are major diseases affectingseedlings of Eucalyptus species in forestnurseries in temperate regions in Argentina. The mostcommon fungi associated with these diseases andaffecting the vigor of the root system are Fusarium and Pythium species. Two forestnursery experiments were conducted in the province ofBuenos Aires, Argentina, to determine the effect ofsoil solarization on growth of Eucalyptusviminalis seedlings and relate this effect to thepresence of pathogenic and native ectomycorrhizaepopulations in roots and nutrient availability insoil. Changes in populations of soilborne pathogenswere determined by a bioassay that relates theirpotential to induce disease. Changes in nativeectomycorrhizae were assesed by measuring colonizationlevels in roots. Nutrient availability was determinedby the amount of nitrates released by solarization.Solar heating decreased pathogenic and ectomycorrhizalinoculum potential and increased soil nitrates.Seedling growth in solarized seedbeds may be relatedto a low initial pathogenic population and/or toincreases in nitrate availability. Solarization mayinduce soil suppressiveness against re-establishmentof major seedling pathogens in treated soils.     

Arambarria the pathogen involved in canker rot of Eucalyptus,native trees wood rots and grapevine diseases in the Southern Hemisphere

Arambarria (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) is a monotypic genus recently described to accommodate specimens from the Patagonian forests of Argentina wrongly assigned in the past to Inocutis jamaicensis. On the basis of a wide sampling of strains and phylogenetic analysis inferred from combined sequences including the nuc rDNA ITS1‐5.8‐ITS2 region, 28S rDNA D1‐D2 domains and partial sequences of translation elongation factor 1‐a (tef1‐α), we demonstrate that this genus is associated with an important canker rot of eucalypt plantations in Uruguay, to wood rots of many native and exotic hosts, and to “hoja de malvón” and chlorotic leafroll of grapevines diseases in Central Chile, Central Argentina and Uruguay, formerly assigned to I. jamaicensis and/or Fomitiporella sp. The combined phylogenetic analysis showed the existence of three closely related clades that corresponded to (1) the Pampas of Uruguay and Argentina (“uruguay” clade), (2) the Monte, Chaco Serrano and Yungas forests of Argentina (“cognata” clade) and (3) the Patagonian Andes forests and Chilean Province (“destruens” clade). Lack of morphological differences between taxa from the three clades, their occurrence in both native and exotic hosts, previous results showing interfertility between isolates from Uruguay and Argentina, and the lack of full support in the concatenated ITS + 28S + tef1‐α analysis, prevents us to distinguish and describe three different taxa; the proper name of the taxon being Arambarria cognata comb. nov. A fourth, distinctly separated clade corresponded to South African strains isolated from vineyards representing an undescribed taxon associated with Esca grapevine disease in that country. Arambarria is shown to be unrelated to Inocutis, with which it was confused in the past and, so far, remains restricted to the Northern Hemisphere in America (Mexico, Jamaica and the USA).     

Armillaria species distribution on symptomatic hosts in northern hardwood and mixed oak forests in western Massachusetts

Armillaria spp. are some of the most important forest pathogens in mixed hardwood forests of southern New England, yet their role as prominent disturbance agents is still not fully appreciated. We investigated the distribution of Armillaria species across eight separate stands of northern hardwood and mixed oak forests in western Massachusetts. We were specifically interested in the Armillaria species distribution from live, symptomatic hosts and not in determining overall incidence in the forest. From 32 plots (16 within each forest type), 320 isolates were collected. Armillaria was routinely encountered causing disease of live trees. In total, 89% (286/320) of all isolations came from live hosts exhibiting symptoms of root and butt rot. Overall, A. gallica was the dominant species in each forest type, making up 88/160 (55%) isolates from northern hardwood and 153/160 (96%) of all isolations from mixed oak stands. However, northern hardwood forests showed much greater species diversity, as A. calvescens, A. gemina, A. ostoyae, and A. sinapina were all found. At one site, a northern hardwood forest surrounding a high elevation spruce-fir forest, A. ostoyae was the most abundant species encountered. All five Armillaria species were found causing disease of live hosts, including A. gemina, a species considered by some as weakly virulent. Armillaria gallica was found on 22/23 tree species’ sampled, and was found most often causing butt rot.     

A new species of Rosenscheldia (Dothideomycetes) from Brazil

A fungus forming black stromata with several immersed ascomata was found associated with living branches of Protium warmingianum (Burseraceae) in the Mata da Biologia, city of Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The new species differs from all five species found on literature and is fully described, illustrated and compared with the other species described in the genus. This is the first species of Rosenscheldia found on burseraceae hosts in Brazil and the first species on the host genus Protium.     

Hosts and distribution of the intersterility groups of Heterobasidion annosum in the highlands of Greece

The intersterility groups of 127 pure cultures of H, annosum collected from different host trees in 12 mountain areas in Greece were identified. The F group commonly caused butt rot on the fir species Abies cephalonica and Abies borisii regis. It was the only type of H. annosum found in pure fir forests. The P group caused serious root rot in pinus sylvestris stands in north-eastern Greece. In more southern mountain areas it often colonized stumps of pinus nigra but seldom killed this tree species. The S group was found in natural forests of Picea abies in northern Greece, causing butt rot of spruce. In mixed forests, the intersterility groups of H. annosum were found relatively often in stumps of tree species other than their main hosts, although some host preference seemed to occur also in stump colonization.     

Adaptation of native syrphid flies to new exotic plant (Impatiens spp.)-aphidant associations in Central Europe (Dipt., Syrphidae; Hom., Aphididae; Hym., Formicidae)

Impatiens parviflora andI. glandulifera, two invasive touchme-not species of exotic origin were found to be associated with two aphid groups in Central Europe: a) Exotic species subsequently following their invasive plant hosts (Impatientinum asiaticum Nevsky), b) native species secondarily adapted to the new exotic hosts (Aphis fabae cirsiiacanthoidis Scop.). The species number (listed) of associated syrphid flies in the newly developed guilds was rather high, consisting of broadly oligophagous species. The plant phenology and adaptation of the aphids have resulted in associations which apparently represent seasonally significant sources of prey, their importance apparently increasing with the decreasing season. Antattendance was determined in both aphid species, and no adverse interference with the preying syrphid larvae was observed. In spite of an overall classification of the target plants as expansive weeds, they are classified positively as contributing to the enhancement of syrphid fly populations in the biocorridors in the cultivated landscape.     

Tree and stand structure of the non-native Pinus contorta in relation to native Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies in young managed forests in boreal Sweden

Managed forest stands are typically younger and structurally less diverse than natural forests. Introduction of non-native tree species might increase the structural changes to managed forest stands, but detailed analyses of tree- and stand-structures of native and non-native managed forests are often lacking. Improved knowledge of non-native forest structure could help clarify their multiple values (e.g. habitat for native biodiversity, bioenergy opportunities). We studied the structural differences between the introduced, non-native Pinus contorta and the native Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies over young forest stand ages (13–34 years old) in managed forests in northern Sweden. We found that P. contorta stands had greater mean basal areas, tree heights, diameters at breast height, and surface area of living branches than the two native species in young stands. The surface area of dead attached branches was also greater in P. contorta than P. abies. Although this indicates greater habitat availability for branch-living organisms, it also contributes to the overall more shaded conditions in stands of P. contorta. Only one older 87 years old P. contorta stand was available, and future studies will tell how structural differences between P. contorta and native tree species develop over the full forestry cycle.     

全球松树枯梢病发生状况与防治策略

松树枯梢病是一种世界性病害。该病寄主范围广,可侵染8个属约60种（含变种）针叶树。对全球松树枯梢病为害较严重国家（新西兰、南非、美国和中国等）的发生状况以及近年有关该病发生发展的流行诱因和抗性研究等进行了概述,并提出以树种生态适应性、提高寄主生长势为主以及控制病菌增量的防治策略。     

Mortierella species from declining Araucaria araucana trees in Patagonia,Argentina

Since 2015, Araucaria araucana, an ecologically and economically important conifer native to Argentina and Chile, has suffered an unusual partial death of the crown throughout almost all of the distribution range in Argentina. No primary pathogen or pest was evident, associated with the phenomenon. Isolates of Mortierella, a poorly studied fungal genus in Patagonia, were obtained from the margins of necrotic phloem tissue of symptomatic trees. Five species of Mortierella were isolated from affected tissues. In inoculation tests, Mortierella alpina and M. aff. basiparvispora were pathogenic to A. araucana. These species caused necrosis of phloem, leading to chlorosis, foliar desiccation and eventually death, demonstrating that Mortierellales may play a role in the decline of the tree.     

Population structure of Chrysoporthe austroafricana in southern Africa determined using Vegetative Compatibility Groups (VCGs)

Chrysoporthe austroafricana is one of the most damaging pathogens of Eucalyptus trees in southern Africa. It also occurs on non‐native Tibouchina granulosa trees and native Syzygium species. Additional isolates of the pathogen from previously unstudied countries in the region have become available from survey studies. The aim of this study was to use VCGs to consider the diversity in populations of isolates collected in various countries in southern Africa (Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia) and from different hosts. We also wanted to determine whether there are shared VCGs among these countries and hosts in southern Africa and establish a VCG tester strain database. Results showed a high diversity amongst isolates from different countries and hosts, but suggested little movement of VCGs among countries or hosts based on the available isolates. A total of 108 VCG tester strains were identified for southern Africa.     

Defence responses in plantation‐grown Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus nitens after artificial fungal inoculation

The formation of reaction and barrier zones was studied in the xylem of Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus nitens tree stems after wounding and artificial inoculation with two white rot fungi. The study had two objectives: to describe host responses in Eucalyptus spp. by light microscopy and to determine whether they would differ in a fungal treatment (wounding and inoculation by one of two fungal isolates) when compared to a control treatment (wounding only). Eucalyptus globulus and E. nitens developed similar reaction and barrier zones. The E. globulus barrier zone was characterized by kino vein formation. In both hosts, the reaction zone was primarily influenced by content and distribution of living tracheids and parenchyma cells within the sapwood. By contrast, the anatomy of the barrier zone showed similarities to the basic xylem structure of each host, except for some cell types that were newly formed (sclereids, kino veins) or increased in number (parenchyma cells, tracheids). Other cell types were reduced in number or completely absent. Host response in terms of barrier zone width appeared to be greater in the fungal than control treatment. Both wood decay fungi appeared to induce a wider barrier zone in both species than that associated with non‐specific damage caused exclusively by wounding. However, the small number of replicates available for this study was possibly insufficient to provide statistical evidence for different barrier zone width between fungal and control treatments.     

Sphaceloma murrayae Jenk. & Grods., a pathogen new to Europe on Salix spp.

A Sphaceloma species causing greyish‐white leaf spots of several Salix species is described and illustrated. This is the first record for Europe of the mitosporic fungus identified as Sphaceloma murrayae, which was formerly known to occur only in New Zealand, Argentina and the US. In addition to information on symptoms and hosts, similar fungi occurring on willow, which can be confused with the new fungus are also discussed.     

Phytopbthora cactorum on walnut seedlings in Italian nurseries

Phytophthora cactorum was consistently isolated from basal stem tissues of walnut seedlings affected by collar and root rot. The isolates were identified on the basis of morphological and cultural characteristics and of electrophoretic patterns in polyacrylamide slab gels of total native mycelial proteins and isozymes (arylesterase, malate dehydrogenase, acid and alkaline phosphatase). The electrophoretic phenotypes of walnut isolates were identical or very similar to those of P. cactorum isolates from different hosts (apple, loquat, pineapple-guava and strawberry). In pathogenicity tests, P. cactorum isolates from walnut proved to be highly pathogenic for seedlings of English walnut (Juglans regia) and moderately pathogenic for seedlings of eastern black walnut (Juglans nigra); moreover, they did not rot apple seedlings, suggesting host-specificity. Poor soil drainage and excessive irrigation can be considered as predisposing factors to collar and root rot incited by P. cactorum.     

Do pine plantations provide mycorrhizal inocula for seedlings establishment in grasslands from Patagonia,Argentina?

We investigated if Pinus ponderosa plantations in Patagonia are able to produce viable mycorrhizal inocula towards adjacent grasslands, which only harbor endomycorrhizal vegetation. We hypothesized that these inocula have the potential to contribute to the establishment of naturally disseminated seedlings. Also, we determined the main fungal taxa involved in this process. Seven plantations in the onset of their reproductive phase and located in the Patagonian native forest/steppe ecotone (Argentina) were selected. Soil samplings were obtained at nine points along a 450 m long, W-E transect established in each plantation. Soil bioassays were performed in a greenhouse, with P. ponderosa seedlings acting as hosts for mycorrhizal inocula present in soil samples, during 12 months. Mycorrhization percentage, morphotype richness and morphotype composition was determined through morphological evaluation. Viable ecto- and ectendomycorrhizal inocula were found disseminated outside plantations. The amount of mycorrhizal inoculum followed a decreasing function with distance to plantation edges. Mycorrhizal fungal genus Rhizopogon and “E-strain” mycorrhizal types appeared as pioneering taxa regarding seedlings colonization, being the most persistent and frequent symbionts found. Plantations, thus, facilitate the surrounding terrain for newcoming seedlings through the dispersion of mycorrhizal fungal inocula.     

Colonisation of native and exotic conifers by indigenous bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) in France

Planting exotic conifers offers indigenous forest insects an opportunity to extend their host range and eventually to become significant pests. Knowing the ecological and evolutionary modalities driving the colonisation of exotic tree species by indigenous insects is thus of primary importance. We compared the bark beetle communities (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) associated with both native and introduced conifers in France. The aim of our study was to estimate the influence of both host- and insect-related factors on the beetles’ likelihood to shift onto new hosts. We considered the influence of host origin (i.e. native vs. exotic), host tree species identity, tree bark thickness and tree taxonomic proximity, as well as insects’ host specificity. A field inventory using trap trees was carried out in two regions in France (Limousin and Jura) during two consecutive years (2006 and 2007) on three European native conifer species [Norway spruce (Picea abies); Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and European Silver-fir (Abies alba)] and five North American [Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis); Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus); Grand fir (Abies grandis); Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and Western red cedar (Thuja plicata)]. A total of 18 indigenous and 2 exotic bark beetle species were collected. All exotic conifer species were colonised by indigenous bark beetle species and no significant difference was observed of the cumulated species richness of the latter between native and exotic tree species (13 vs. 14, P < 0.05). The ability of indigenous bark beetles to shift onto exotic conifers appeared to strongly depend on host species (significantly structuring bark beetle assemblages), the presence of phylogenetically related native conifer species and that of similar resources, in combination with insect host specificity. Host tree species status (native or exotic) also seemed to be involved, but its effect did not seem as essential as that of the previous factors. These findings are discussed in terms of adaptation, plasticity and practical aspects of forest management.     

Ophiostomatoid fungi isolated from three different pine species in Argentinian Patagonia

Pine plantations in Argentinian Patagonia cover ca. 95,000 ha in Chubut, Río Negro and Neuquén provinces. Exotic bark beetles (Orthotomicus laricis, Hylastes ater and Hylurgus ligniperda) commonly occur in freshly cut logs, stumps and slash. These beetles are vectors of “ophiostomatoid” fungi which include primary tree pathogens as well as important agents of blue stain. The aim of this study was to identify these beetle‐associated fungi. Sawing mills and pine plantations were surveyed three consecutive years. Fungal isolates from stained logs, processed wood and insect galleries were identified based on morphological and DNA sequence comparisons of ITS and β‐tubulin gene regions. Two Grosmannia, one Graphilbum and three Ophiostoma species were identified. Ophiostoma piliferum and O. peregrinum sp. nov. were the most frequently isolated taxa. O. peregrinum occurred in all provinces, colonizing different conifer species and, interestingly, also the native broadleaved species Nothofagus dombeyi. Pine plantation forestry in southern South America includes Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. Emerging data from Argentina, Chile and Uruguay revealed some coincidences between these countries, but also several differences, probably, as a result of multiple introduction events.     

Identification of the Armillaria root rot pathogen in Ethiopian plantations

Armillaria root rot is a well‐known disease on a wide range of plants, world‐wide. In Ethiopia, the disease has previously been reported on Pinus spp., Coffea arabica and on various native hardwoods. The causal agent of the disease has been attributed to Armillaria mellea, a species now known to represent a complex of many different taxa. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of Armillaria root rot and the identity of the Armillaria sp. in Ethiopian plantations. As part of a plantation disease survey in 2000 and 2001, samples were collected in plantations at and around Munessa Shashemene, Wondo Genet, Jima, Mizan and Bedele, in south and south‐western Ethiopia. Basidiocarps were collected and their morphology studied. Morphological identification was confirmed by sequencing the intergenic spacer (IGS‐1) region of the ribosomal rRNA operon and comparing data with published sequences of Armillaria spp. Armillaria isolates were collected from Acacia abyssinica, Pinus patula, Cedrela odorata and Cordia alliodora trees. Sporocarps were found on stumps of native Juniperus excelsa. Basidiocarp morphology and sequence data suggested that the fungus in Ethiopia is similar to that causing disease of Pinus spp. in South Africa and previously identified as A. fuscipes. This identification was confirmed for all isolates, based on sequence data. Armillaria fuscipes is known to be common in southern Africa. Its widespread occurrence in Ethiopia suggests that it is also the major cause of Armillaria root rot in that country.     

Distribution and genetic diversity of the root‐rot pathogen Neonectria macrodidyma in a forest nursery

The aim of this study was to assess genetic diversity and spatial distribution of 123 strains of the root‐rot pathogen Neonectria macrodidyma isolated from fine living roots of bare‐root nursery cultivated Pinus sylvestris. We found that ITS rDNA sequences were 100% identical for all strains. Arbitrary primed PCR fragment analysis showed the presence of two distinct N. macrodidyma types (Type 1 and Type 2), which included respectively 11 and 14 genotypes composed of 1–29 strains. Results of this study indicate that N. macrodidyma is commonly associated with fine living roots of pine seedlings, is largely disseminated by asexual means of local genotypes and has even distribution in the forest nursery soils. In living roots, N. macrodidyma is likely present as dormant propagules but under favourable conditions, it may develop rapidly and have a significant negative effect on plant health and productivity.     

Management of fungal root‐rot pathogens in tropical Acacia mangium plantations

Acacia mangium is a fast‐growing tree species. It is mainly planted in large monocultures for pulpwood in South‐East Asia. Root rot has become the most economically damaging disease of this species with high tree mortality rates observed during second and third rotations. Two main types of root rots have been found in A. mangium, viz. brown root‐rot and red‐root disease caused by Phellinus spp. and Ganoderma spp., respectively. To assess the future management options for root rot of A. mangium, we review past and current disease‐management strategies for root rot in different temperate and tropical industrial tree crops. The efficacies of a wide range of silvicultural, chemical and biological options are detailed, and their potential utilization in managing root rot of A. mangium is discussed. We conclude that the current gaps in knowledge regarding identification, biology and disease epidemiology of the root‐rot pathogens will need to be addressed so that effective management options can be developed.