Root‐colonizing ophiostomatoid fungi associated with dying and dead young Scots pine in Poland

Abstract

Ophiostomatoid fungi are carried by various bark beetles. However, very little is known about the role of these fungi in conifer roots. We studied ophiostomatoid fungi in roots of dying and dead Pinus sylvestris trees and tested the potential phytotoxicity of some isolates using a sensitive bioassay with Lepidium sativum in Poland. Fungi were identified based on their morphology and DNA sequencing. Three ophiostomatoid fungi, Leptographium procerum, Sporothrix inflata and Ophiostoma pallidulum, were isolated from the roots. The most abundant soil-borne fungus, S. inflata, and relatively rare O. pallidulum were isolated for the first time from roots of dying and dead pine trees. The frequency of S. inflata and O. pallidulum correlated with tree decline. The fungi were isolated more frequently from roots of dead than dying trees. Sporothrix inflata and O. pallidulum slightly reduced the stem and root growth of L. sativum. Leptographium procerum reduced more significantly root than stem growth. This species reduced root elongation 32-54% after 10-17 days of incubation.

Diversity of ophiostomatoid fungi associated with the large pine weevil, Hylobius abietis, and infested Scots pine seedlings in Poland

“…In contrast to O. quercus, the presence of S. inflata on H. abietis adults was expected because this fungus is frequently isolated from soil and the other substrates associated with soil environments (de Hoog 1974). Recently, S. inflata was also isolated from the roots of dying and dead young Scots pine in Poland (Jankowiak et al 2012). This study indicates that H. abietis, in addition to being a vector for L. procerum and O. quercus, is also a carrier of the soil-borne fungus S. inflata.…”

“…This species has been described by Linnakoski et al (2010), who isolated it from several different bark beetles infesting pine and spruce trees in Finland, where it was found mainly in association with H. brunneus. Recently, O. pallidulum was also isolated from the roots of dying and dead young Scots pine in Poland (Jankowiak et al 2012). This may indicate that O. pallidulum is closely associated with the soil environment.…”

Ophiostomatoid fungi associated with conifer-infesting beetles and their phoretic mites in Yunnan, China

“…Interestingly, O. pallidulum was also isolated from dead P. sylvestris roots in Poland in the absence of beetle attack ( Jankowiak et al 2012 ). O.…”

Ophiostomatoid fungi associated with root‐feeding bark beetles onScots pine inPoland

“…() as being found in several different bark beetles infesting pine and spruce trees in Finland, mainly in association with H. brunneu s. Recently, O. pallidulum was also found in the roots of dying and dead young Scots pine (Jankowiak et al. ) and in association with pine regeneration weevils in Poland (Jankowiak and Bilański ,b). These findings may indicate that O. pallidulum is closely associated with the soil environment.…”