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

Abstract

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