Ceratocystis species on Quercus robur with oak decline symptoms in southern Poland¹

Abstract

In southern Poland during 1986–1989, six species of Ceratocystis were found on sick and dead Quercus robur. The frequency of their occurrence in above‐ground portions and roots of trees is given. The possibility is discussed whether oak decline, caused by a complex of abiotic and biotic factors, is intensified when trees are colonized by Ceratocystis.

Sporothrix inflata, a root-inhabiting fungus of Quercus robur and Q. petraea

“…Furthermore, it has been hypothesized in the late 70ties and early 80ties by some authors from eastern Europe (KRYUKOVA & PLOTNIKOVA 1979, GUSEINOV 1984, IGMANDY 1987 that Ophiostoma spp. and oak decline symptoms in other field investigations (KOWALSKI & BARTNIK 1990). However, pathogenicity of theses Ophiostoma spp.…”

Oak decline: I. Fungi associated with various disease symptoms on overground portions of middle‐aged and old oak (Quercus robur L.)

“…In most cases they require a previous injury or weakening of a tree by, for example, a water deficiency, industrial emissions, low temperature, insect feeding (BUTIN 1981 ;GIBBS 1989;KOWALSKI 1983). In stands under investigation the unfavourable soil conditions are considered to be among the factors having a principal effect on weakening of trees, leading to deformation and death of roots (see KOWALSKI and BARTNIK 1990), and subsequently to water stress, which in turn has an effect on the increased activity of decay fungi (RAYNER 1986). Those fungi which can cause die-back or cankers on relatively strong oaks (BUTIN 1981;MANKA 1981;VAJNA 1986) occurred on the investigated trees rarely (Fusicoccum quercus, Phellinus robustus), or not at all (Diplodia mutila).…”

“…It was very characteristic that the observed Ceratocystis spp. occurred on a high n u m b e r of trees; on overground portions of 38.3% of trees and on roots of 60.0% of trees with disease symptoms (KOWALSKI and BARTNIK 1990). However, on the individual tree they occurred only locally on a small number of branches, roots, necrotic areas of bark and sapwood ( (KOWALSKI and BARTNIK 1990).…”

“…The purpose of this study was to identify the mycoflora on the overground portions of oaks in Southern Poland showing the symptoms of decline (BARTNIK 1989), and to determine whether there is a connection between the occurrence of fungi and the observed disease symptoms. This is a continuation of the investigations which initially took into consideration only fungi from the genus Ceratocystis from the overground portions as well as from the root system of trees (KOWALSKI and BARTNIK 1990). The study was conducted in Southern Poland (Herby, Cracow-Las Wolski, Niepokomice, Swierklaniec) in twelve middle-aged and old oak stands (45-120 years, only one stand was 30 years old).…”

“…They were growing on various types of sites, and showed a high concentration of disease symptoms (BARTNIK 1989;KOWALSKI unpubl.). During 1986During -1989, from June to October, 15 trees which died recently (or were in the final stage of dying) and 45 living trees with disease symptoms in various stages of development were felled or extracted with roots (KOWALSKI and BARTNIK 1990). The external symptoms were examined in the crowns and on stem surface, and the internal ones on blazes and trunk cross sections.…”