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Publications

NIBIOs employees contribute to several hundred scientific articles and research reports every year. You can browse or search in our collection which contains references and links to these publications as well as other research and dissemination activities. The collection is continously updated with new and historical material.

2012

Abstract

Sydowia polyspora was found to be seed borne on true fir (Abies spp.) where it is associated with two serious diseases; current season needle necrosis (CSNN) and Sclerophoma shoot dieback [1]. To our knowledge, S. polyspora was previously only reported to be seed borne on Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) [3]. In 2009, we discovered S. polyspora on Norway spruce (Picea abies) seedlings from germination tests at the Norwegian Forest Seed Center. This indicated that S. polyspora also was seed borne on spruce. Based on this, we wanted to investigate how widespread S. polyspora was on conifer seeds. In 2010, we tested 44 seed lots from 8 genera. S. polyspora was isolates from seeds from the following genera; Abies, Larix, Picea, Pinus, Pseudotsuga, Thuja, and Tsuga. Interestingly, they are the exact same genera that Funk [2] reported S. polyspora from on diseased foliage and shoots. We found S. polyspora on Norway spruce harvested in 1970, thus, the fungus may survive for decades in seed lots. In Norway, Sclerophoma shoot dieback has been found on Norway spruce in Christmas tree fields. Fungal species from a number of other genera were also detected in the seed test, but here we only report S. polyspora.

Abstract

Sydowia polyspora is a pathogenic, seed borne fungus on conifers [1]. It is especially troublesome in the Christmas tree industry, where it causes current season needle necrosis (CSNN) on fir (Abies spp.). Needles get chlorotic spots or bands and in severe cases the entire needles turn necrotic and shed. The fungus also commonly kills current year shoots (Sclerophoma shoot dieback) on both fir and spruce (Picea spp.). The latter we proved on subalpine fir (A. lasiocarpa) inoculated by S. polyspora from noble fir (Abies procera) seeds. Two conifer seed lots known from previous tests to contain a high percentage of S. polyspora were selected for a treatment experiment; alpine pine (Pinus mugo var. rotundata) and Noble fir. Both seed lots received the following five treatments; surface sterilized (10 sec. in 70 % ethanol plus 90 sec. in 0,5 % NaOCl), dipped in 15 % acidic acid, mixed with 0,36 gram Signum (boskalid and pyraklostrobin) per 100 gram seeds, mixed with 0,8 gram Mycostop (Streptomyces griseovirides) per 100 gram seeds, dipped in different concentrations of thyme oil (extracted from Thymus vulgaris), and control (no treatment). Based on the results we recommend Signum for conifer seed treatment. This fungicide controlled S. polyspora well and did not influence on the germination ability. Agricultural