Endophytic fungi of the pinus sp

Endophytes are found in all plants, they are plant-associated microorganisms that colonize and live the part of their life cycle within a plant without causing harm or disease to their host. Only one species of Pinus sylvestris pine grows in Lithuania. According to the latest data, even 1.5% of pine trees are damaged by fungal pathogens. 2018 plant material from native and introduced trees of seven species of Pinus (P. sylvestris , P. mugo ‘Frisia’, P. strobur, P. nigra, P. banksiana xp contorta, P. ponderosa var. scopulorum and P. parviflora ‘Glauca’) was selected. During the study, 344 fungal isolates were obtained, which were divided into 75 morphogroups – 73 morphoroups were attributed to the endophytic fungi and 3 morphogroups were classified as pathogens. 54 fungal isolates obtained from Pinus spp. and 24 fungal isolates from Laboratory of Plant Pathology (Nature Research Centre, Vilnius) collection for antagonistic activity against fungal pathogens PATI, PATII and PATIII were investigated. 14 out of 78 isolates had a high antagonistic effect, 10 isolates had a middle effect, and 54 isolates had no effect. The study in vivo showed what all pines that were inoculated with pathogenic fungi and 5 antagonists died five months later

Screening of microorganisms for antagonistic activity against pathogenic fungi of Pinus spp

Pine (Pinus) stands cover more than 34% of the forest area and it is one of the most ecologically and economically important trees in Lithuania. However, more than 1% of pine trees are damaged by fungal diseases every year [1]. Therefore, effective control measures should be applied. Biological control is an alternative to conventional management. For this purpose, in this study, pine needles, buds and twigs were collected in 2018. Healthy plant material and (or) with symptoms similar to those caused by Neocatenulostroma germanicum, Lophodermium pinastri and Dothistroma septosporum, was analysed. 340 fungal isolates from native and introduced Pinus spp. trees (P. sylvestris ‘Beuvronensis’, P. mugo ‘Frisia’, P. strobur, P. nigra, P. banksiana xp contorta, P. ponderosa var. scopulorum and P. parviflora ‘Glauca’) were obtained. 102 fungal isolates belonging to 50 morphological groups were subjected for analysis. 23 isolates had a high antagonistic activity against plant pathogenic fungi. As screening of potential biocontrol agents is essential for their further development and suitability to use them for disease management, further research will be followed with effects of the pathogen in vivoBiologijos katedraGamtos tyrimų centrasVilniaus universitetasVytauto Didžiojo universiteta