Forest Pathology (2007) 37, 348-356

M.E. Sánchez, N. Luchi, J.J. Jiménez, P. de Vita, J.E. Sánchez, A. Trapero and P. Capretti (2007)
An isolated population of Heterobasidion abietinum on Abies pinsapo in Spain
Forest Pathology 37 (5), 348-356
Abstract: Abies pinsapo, a fir endemic to a small area in southernmost Spain, is frequently attacked in natural stands by Heterobasidion root rot. To identify the Heterobasidion species causing the disease, pure cultures of the fungus were isolated from symptomatic trees in five localities in Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park and identified by pairing tests. In addition, genets of the fungus were identified in two pure stands of A. pinsapo. All the Heterobasidion specimens collected belonged to the species Heterobasidion abietinum. The largest genet found was 57 m long, and had colonized 10 trees. The large size of the main genets implied that H. abietinum had spread via root contacts from old infections generated before the establishment of the Sierra de las Nieves National Park in 1989. Exceptionally dry summers in the last 20 years may have weakened A. pinsapo and favoured spread of the disease.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): María Esperanza Sánchez, Nicola Luchi, Antonio Trapero, Paolo Capretti

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Heterobasidion abietinum	Fir (Abies)	Spain (continental)