Fusarium circinatum, the causal agent of pine pitch canker (PPC), is currently one of the most important threats of Pinus spp. globally. This pathogen is known in many pine-growing regions, including natural and planted forests, and can affect all life stages of trees, from emerging seedlings to mature trees. Despite the importance of PPC, the global distribution of F. circinatum is poorly documented, and this problem is also true of the hosts within countries that are affected. The aim of this study was to review the global distribution of F. circinatum, with a particular focus on Europe. We considered (1) the current and historical pathogen records, both positive and negative, based on confirmed reports from Europe and globally; (2) the genetic diversity and population structure of the pathogen; (3) the current distribution of PPC in Europe, comparing published models of predicted disease distribution; and (4) host susceptibility by reviewing literature and generating a comprehensive list of known hosts for the fungus. These data were collated from 41 countries and used to compile a specially constructed geo-database. A review of 6297 observation records showed that F. circinatum and the symptoms it causes on conifers occurred in 14 countries, including four in Europe, and is absent in 28 countries. Field observations and experimental data from 138 host species revealed 106 susceptible host species including 85 Pinus species, 6 non-pine tree species and 15 grass and herb species. Our data confirm that susceptibility to F. circinatum varies between different host species, tree ages and environmental characteristics. Knowledge on the geographic distribution, host range and the relative susceptibility of different hosts is essential for disease management, mitigation and containment strategies. The findings reported in this review will support countries that are currently free of F. circinatum in implementing effective procedures and restrictions and prevent further spread of the pathogen.

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Lecanosticta acicola is a pine needle pathogen causing brown spot needle blight that results in premature needle shedding with considerable damage described in North America, Europe, and Asia. Microsatellite and mating type markers were used to study the population genetics, migration history, and reproduction mode of the pathogen,

The presence of quarantine pathogen Lecanosticta acicola, the causal agent of brown spot needle blight, was confirmed using molecular methods for the first time in northern part of Poland on the coastal area adjacent to the Baltic Sea. This area includes sandy beaches, where Pinus mugo and P. sylvestris were planted. Symptomatic needles were collected in 2017 from 20 P. mugo trees growing in one stand in Ustka. Typical symptoms of brown spot needle blight infection, including dead needle tips and central zones with yellow or reddish brown, circular spots in green tissue, were observed on all samples. Only, the asexual stage of L. acicola was obtained during this work. The pathogen species identity was confirmed using classical morphological methods (microscopic examination of the infected needles), real‐time and species‐specific priming (SSPP) PCR, and ITS sequencing. Analysis of mating‐type (MAT) genes showed the presence of both mating types in northern Poland.

Fungal infections are the main cause of emerging infectious diseases in forest trees. Over the past decades, the number of invasive fungal pathogens in Europe has increased exponentially. In this paper the fungal pathogens causing the most common diseases in pines like Dothistroma needle blight, brown spot needle blight, Lophodermium needle cast, Scots pine blister rust, Scleroderris canker, and Pitch canker were analyzed. These diseases cause defoliation, increase susceptibility of plants to other diseases and pests, and tree mortality can also occur. As a result, the forest industry is suffering severe economic losses. The fungi species causing infection in forest trees have been described as serious pathogens across the world including Europe, confirming a fast spread of their ranges. Knowledge of pathogens distribution, life cycle and disease symptoms are essential for the diagnostic and control of pathogenic fungi. Human-driven species expansion has increased in the last century due to the growth of international travel and trade, resulting in huge disturbance to ecosystems. Most of the plant diseases are strongly influenced by environmental conditions. Climate change has important consequences on plants, pathogens, and the interaction between them, resulting in changes on diseases epidemics. Fungal infections of plants are difficult to control because pathogens populations are variable in time, space, and genotypes. The potential damage in the future may be large, and that is why we have to be aware of the problems and discuss some possible approaches to reducing the threats.