Fungal Communities in Re-Emerging <i>Fraxinus excelsior</i> Sites in Lithuania and Their Antagonistic Potential against <i>Hymenoscyphus fraxineus</i>

Fifty-nine fungal taxa, isolated from re-emerging <i>Fraxinus excelsior</i> sites in Lithuania, were in vitro tested against three strains of <i>Hymenoscyphus fraxineus</i> on agar media to establish their biocontrol properties. All tested fungi were isolated from leaves and...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Remigijus Bakys, Gintarė Bajerkevičienė, Alfas Pliūra, Adas Marčiulynas, Diana Marčiulynienė, Jūratė Lynikienė, Valeriia Mishcherikova, Audrius Menkis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-09-01
Series:Microorganisms
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/10/10/1940
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Summary:Fifty-nine fungal taxa, isolated from re-emerging <i>Fraxinus excelsior</i> sites in Lithuania, were in vitro tested against three strains of <i>Hymenoscyphus fraxineus</i> on agar media to establish their biocontrol properties. All tested fungi were isolated from leaves and shoots of relatively healthy <i>Fraxinus excelsior</i> trees (<30% defoliation), which were affected by ash dieback but their phytosanitary condition has not worsened during the last decade. The inhibition of <i>H. fraxineus</i> growth by tested fungal taxa ranged between 16–87%. Occasionally isolated fungal taxa such as <i>Neonectria coccinea</i>, <i>Nothophorma quercina,</i> and <i>Phaeosphaeria caricis</i> were among the most effective fungi inhibiting the growth of <i>H. fraxineus</i> cultures. Among the more commonly isolated fungal taxa, <i>Cladosporium</i> sp., <i>Fusarium</i> sp., <i>Malassezia</i> sp., and <i>Aureobasidium pullulans</i> showed a strong growth inhibition of <i>H. fraxineus</i>.
ISSN:2076-2607