Ophiostomatoid fungi associated with declined Pinus pinaster stands in Spain

Abstract

Aim of study: We studied the presence of fungi and distribution patterns in relation to the health status of declining Pinus pinaster trees.Area of study: Trees in two declining stands in Central Spain were allotted to three declining classes...Material and Methods: Trees in two declining stands in Central Spain were allotted to three declining classes (healthy, declining and recently dead) and 3 trees of each class were felled in each stand. Wood slides (phloem and xylem) were taken at six positions along the trees and samples collected from fungal identification.Main results: A total of 21 fungal taxa were isolated and identified; eleven of these species belonged to the Ophiostomatoid group. Ophiostoma minus was the most frequently isolated fungus and was identified in 22% of the samples, mainly associated to dead and diseased trees.Research highlights: Together these results suggest a putative association of O. minor with the decline in this area, and thus we suggest paying more attention to this fungus as a potential agent of decline in P. pinaster stands.