Causitive agents of decay of Norway spruce /Picea abies (L.) Karst./ on the mountain zvijezda

Abstract

Wood decay fungi reduce the vitality of infected trees, predispose the surrounding trees to be attacked from other harmful agents and damage the most valued part of the stem. Because of these multiple influences it is necessary to explore the presence of these fungi in the forests of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in order to be able to prevent and reduce the damage they cause. Norway spruce in Bosnia and Herzegovina represents one of economically important trees. Because of that, this research is focused on role and implementation of molecular methods and determination of wood decaying fungi on Norway spruce from the genera Heterobasidion and Armillaria on mountain Zvijezda. The reliable identification of species of genus Heterobasidion can be made by analyzing the differences in the structure of the ITS region of rDNA. The reliable identification of species of genus Armillaria can be done by analyzing the differences in the structure of the ITS region of rDNA (genus level), or IGS rDNA regions (interspecies diversity). Inside the object of research were found 9 trees with fungus Heterobasidion parviporum Niemelä & Korhonen, 1 tree with a fungus Armillaria cepistipes Velenovský, 2 trees with the fungus Armillaria ostoyae (Ro-magnesi) Herink, and 17 trees whose decay was caused by other decaying fungi. Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref. was identified from decaying wood of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.).