A Complex Action of Pathogens in Dying of Pines in Greece : Disease/Environment Interactions in Forest Decline. Proceedings of a Workshop of the Working Party Disease/Environment Interactions in Forest Decline IUFRO 7.02.06, Vienna, Austria, March 16-21, 1998

1999

S. 151-156

1 Abb., 1 Tab., 32 Lit.

Unselbständiges Werk

200085374

Dying Pinus brutia at Thessaloniki and Thassos island, showed infection by Scolytidae, i.e. Tomicus piniperda, Pityogenes calcaratus, Ips erosus and Ips acuminatus. Usually a bark and cambium necrosis starts at the insect galleries while underneath them blue stain of wood may be observed. From blue stain wood Ceratocystis sp. and Leptographium, wingfieldii were mainly isolated. Fructifications of fungi were obvious in the galleries. Trees may remain healthy even after an attack by Scolytidae. It appears that if insect attack is not serous, this factor alone cannot cause dying unless it is combined with fungal action. The role of insects in the dissemination of pathogens and their participation to the dying of pines has been tested by inoculation experiments. Branches of Pinus brutia that were inoculated with Tomicus piniperda or Ips spp., died 14 months later while similar branches inoculated with insects previously sterilized remained healthy.