The hosts and geographic range of Dothistroma needle blight in Slovakia

Abstract

Summary The occurrence and distribution of Dothistroma needle blight (DNB) were studied in 2014–2017 around Slovakia. A total of 84 localities, both native and planted, were investigated, and the presence of DNB was confirmed in 73 of them. In all positive locations, symptoms typical of DNB were observed and the Dothistroma species was confirmed using species‐specific primers either from fungal cultures or directly from needles. Both Dothistroma species—D. septosporum and D. pini—were identified. Both species occurred together in 29 locations, only D. septosporum in 42 and only D. pini in two locations. The host range of D. septosporum included 10 pine species and two spruce species. The host range of D. pini comprised the same number of pine hosts but only one spruce species. Five pine hosts, P. aristata, P. coulteri, P. densiflora, P. jeffreyi, P. × schwerinii, and one spruce host P. abies are new hosts species of D. pini. P. densiflora and Picea pungens have earlier been reported to be susceptible for DNB. In this study, D. septosporum was found from both tree species.

New country and regional records of the pine needle blight pathogens Lecanosticta acicola, Dothistroma septosporum and Dothistroma pini

“…Jánošíková ‐ Hečková et al. () found an additional six host taxa for D. pini which, together with the present study, brings the total to 19 host taxa for D. pini . As research on this species continues, the known host range of this pathogen will undoubtedly continue to rise as will the geographical range, exemplified by this study as well as its recent finding in Georgia (Matsiakh et al., ).…”

Occurrence of Dothistroma needle blight in Lithuania and Belarus: The risk posed to native Scots Pine forests

“…The wide distribution and high genetic diversity of D. septosporum populations in Scots pine forests and plantations in the Baltic and Nordic countries (Adamson et al., 2018; Drenkhan et al., 2013, 2016; Jánošíková‐Hečková et al., 2018; Millberg et al., 2016; Müller et al., 2009; Mullett et al., 2017, 2018; Solheim & Vuorinen, 2011) indicates a high probability of its long‐term presence in north‐eastern Europe in the latent stage and its co‐evolution with the native host P. sylvestris . The wide distribution of D. septosporum and the relatively low severity of the disease in most naturally regenerated Scots pine forests in Lithuania and Belarus (usually 10%–30% of the tree crown) confirm the theory of co‐evolution of the pathogen and its native host.…”

“…The current increase in the incidence, range and severity of DNB and other pine needle diseases in Europe may be caused by global climate change (Adamson et al., 2018; Drenkhan et al., 2016; Jánošíková‐Hečková et al., 2018; Mesanza et al., 2019; Mullett et al., 2018; Ondrušková et al., 2017). Over the past two decades, climatic conditions seem to become increasingly favourable for DNB outbreaks in the Northern Hemisphere, and the risk of this disease to Scots pine forests in the boreal region may increase significantly in the future (Möykkynen, Fraser, Woodward, Brown, & Pukkala, 2017; Sturrock et al., 2011; Watt, Ganley, Kriticos, & Manning, 2011; Watt et al., 2009; Woods et al., 2016).…”

“…D. septosporum has global distribution and a wide range of native and non‐native coniferous hosts (>100 species, on 52 host species the fungus was confirmed by molecular methods) (Drenkhan et al., 2016). Dothistroma pini has a more limited distribution and host range, it was reported from the United States and 12 European countries, from 19 host taxa (Barnes et al., 2004, 2008; Bergová & Kryštofová, 2015; Dobreva et al., 2016; Drenkhan et al., 2016; EPPO, 2019; Fabre, Ioos, Piou, & Marcais, 2012; Jánošíková‐Hečková et al., 2018; Matsiakh et al., 2018; Mullett et al., 2018; Ondrušková et al., 2017, 2018; Queloz, Wey, & Holdenrieder, 2014).…”

“…Comprehensive studies have shown that only D. septosporum is spreading in Lithuania and neighbouring countries (Poland, Latvia and Estonia) on P. sylvestris in natural stands and plantations (Adamson et al., 2018; Boroń, Lenart‐Boroń, & Mullett, 2016; Boron et al., 2019; Drenkhan, Adamson, Jürimaa, & Hanso, 2014; Drenkhan et al., 2013, 2016; Kowalski & Jankowiak, 1998). In Europe, D. pini and D. septosporum in the same stand and on the same P. sylvestris host were found only in Slovenia (Piškur, Hauptman, & Jurc, 2013), Montenegro (Lazarević, Davydenko, & Millberg, 2017) and Slovakia (Jánošíková‐Hečková et al., 2018).…”