Diseases of container-grown conifers in the nurseries of Mogilev area according to molecular phytopathological survey

Abstract

A molecular phytopathological survey of diseased container-grown conifers in the nurseries of Mogilev SFPA were carried out. In plant tissues was detected genetic material of pathogenic fungi, endophytic and saprophytic (non-pathogenic) microf lora. The samples studied were characterized by polyinfection and contain a high titer of pathogens. Molecular-genetic diagnostic methods used for iden-tified causative agents of dominant diseases of contai ner-grown pine, fir and larc h seedlings. It was estab-lished that the predominant disease of one-year seedlings is Cladosporium blight, caused by fungi complex with the dominance of a new species of the genus Cladosporium . Cladosporium blight was ob-served in 60% of the surveyed nurseries, the occurrence of its agents in the affected plant material ranged 50−70%. The disease accompanied by causative agents of Rhizoctonia root rot and Gray mold that registered with the 12% nurseries. Their occurrence in the affected plant material does not exceed 25%. In 37% of the surveyed nurseries two-year seedlings were struck by Phoma blight. Occurrence of its agents in the affected plant material ranged 40 −60%. In single forestries along with Phoma blight detected Cytospora stem canker, Epicoccum needle necrosis and Gray mold (50%, 40% and 15%, respectively).