Sammanfattning

Heterobasidion spp. are among the most destructive root rot pathogens, causing severe economic losses to conifer forestry. High infection frequency has been observed in Scots pine stands growing on dry sandy soils with low organic matter or former agricultural soils. In this study, we investigated the incidence of Heterobasidion spp. infection in Scots pine forests established on low-risk sites where the trees looked healthy and unlikely to be infected. In total, 135 healthy-looking pine trees from nine different stands were examined for Heterobasidion spp. presence. Heterobasidion spp. was detected in six stands and infection frequency was 13%-33%. There was a significant correlation between site index and infection frequency, which was higher in pine stands established on more fertile soils. There was no correlation between disease incidence and defoliation level, diameter of tree at breast height, root diameter, tree volume, or stand age. Overall, our results showed that, regardless of the soil type, Scots pine can be intensively infected by Heterobasidion pathogens while showing no outward signs. Therefore, the risk of Heterobasidion disease should be taken into consideration in management of pine forests growing on both low- and high-risk sites for more productive and sustainable forests.

Nyckelord

root rot disease; Heterobasidion annosum; Scots pine; low-risk site; pine forest management; crown defoliation; stump treatment; thinning

Publicerad i

Forests
2023, Volym: 14, nummer: 5, artikelnummer: 1018
Utgivare: MDPI

SLU författare

• Youssef, Khaled

  • Institutionen för sydsvensk skogsvetenskap, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    

• Dambrauskaite, Milda

  • Institutionen för sydsvensk skogsvetenskap, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    

• Rönnberg, Jonas

  • Institutionen för sydsvensk skogsvetenskap, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    

Associerade SLU-program

SLU Nätverk växtskydd
SLU Skogsskadecentrum


Globala målen

SDG15 Skydda, återställa och främja ett hållbart nyttjande av landbaserade ekosystem, hållbart bruka skogar, bekämpa ökenspridning, hejda och vrida tillbaka markförstöringen samt hejda förlusten av biologisk mångfald


UKÄ forskningsämne

Skogsvetenskap


Publikationens identifierare

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/f14051018

Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/122505